Jeremy Clarkson has once again posted about his A-Level results, continuing a tradition he has kept since 2014. The Clarkson's Farm star took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his grades and his current lifestyle, prompting a divided response from fans.
Annual Post Echoes Previous Years
In his latest post, Clarkson, 66, wrote: "Don’t worry if your A-level results are a bit disappointing. I got a C and two Us. And this evening I shall sit in my agreeable garden, drinking beer from my own brewery and eating food from my own farm. Prepared by my own chef."
This echoes the same tweets he has put out for 12 years, starting in 2014, when he said: "If your A-level results aren't joyous, take comfort from the fact I got a C and two Us. And I have a Mercedes-Benz." Each year, he writes about his A-Level results and the various luxuries he gets to enjoy regardless of them.
Fans React With Praise and Criticism
The annual post has divided fans this year, with some thanking Clarkson for his post and agreeing with him, whilst others told him to give it a rest.
One fan said: "If you want to be rich and successful, don’t go to school. School does nothing but program you for the working system. WAKE UP. You have to figure out what they do NOT teach at public schools and educate yourself. Jeremy knows."
Another added: "Most billionaires dropped out of University. Richard Branson left school at 16 - he seems to be doing OK!" While a third said: "Thank you @JeremyClarkson, my son is beating himself up that he got a C and D. He's still got into his uni of choice. But the pressure put on young people by society is immense. Comments like this are a great way to show A-level results aren't the be-all and end-all."
But others were less favourable. "You say that every year, Jez. Boring now, chap," said a critic. Another slammed Clarkson for "boasting about his money" and said current students were unlikely to get "encouragement" from that.
The same sentiment was echoed by another X user who said Clarkson "got lucky" and "wouldn't get anywhere nowadays". A third said Clarkson's success could be replicated under certain conditions: "As long as your parents have a lucrative deal with Hamleys, to fund private school fees, where you make friends with someone who later goes on to get a degree."
Results Day Context
Clarkson's statement comes on the same day that students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their A-Level, BTEC and T-level results - with a record high 262,820 18-year-olds accepted onto courses at universities and colleges.
Despite this, there are plenty of decently paying jobs that don't require degrees. Estate agent tops the list with an average pay of £49,694. However, an estate agent's salary is usually a mix of a base income, then sales bonuses or commission on top - so it can vary depending on house sales. Others on the list are sales manager, computer games tester and plumber.
