GCSE results: 20 stars who prove you don't need good grades for success

GCSE results: 20 stars who prove you don't need good grades for success Jeremy Clarkson, Cheryl, Robbie Williams and Simon Cowell are among the famous faces who found success despite disappointing grades or setbacks at school. From Jeremy Clarkson and Cheryl to Hollywood stars and successful entrepreneurs, plenty of famous faces found huge success despite disappointing results or setbacks at school. Students across the country will find out their GCSE results on Thursday, after weeks of waiting to discover whether all those hours of revision paid off. Some of the biggest names in entertainment and business left school with few qualifications, failed exams or were rejected from the courses they desperately wanted. Others took a different route entirely before building careers worth millions or becoming household names around the world. For older stars on the list, GCSEs had not yet been introduced and they instead sat O-levels, the qualification they later replaced. Here are 20 famous faces whose school days did not go entirely to plan... Jeremy Clarkson Jeremy Clarkson has regularly used results day to remind students that disappointing grades do not necessarily dictate what comes next. On A-level results day, he wrote on X: “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.” It certainly did not stop him building a hugely successful television career, presenting Top Gear, The Grand Tour and Clarkson's Farm. Cheryl Cheryl left school at 16 without taking GCSEs and instead focused on trying to build a career in music. That decision paid off when she won a place in Girls Aloud on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. Writing in her book Through My Eyes, she said: “Ever since I was a kid I've loved performing, being on stage, singing, dancing and showing off. There was just always something inside me, like, I knew there was no other option.” She went on to enjoy huge success with Girls Aloud before launching a solo career and becoming a television judge. Robbie Williams Robbie Williams has spoken openly about leaving school without any GCSE qualifications and later feeling that his dyslexia, dyscalculia and ADHD had gone unrecognised at the time. The singer has even said he would like to return to education and resit his exams after revealing he achieved nothing higher than a D. He previously told The Sun: “I’ve been wanting to set up a university but, actually, I wouldn’t be able to attend if and when I do, because I didn’t get any GCSEs. I got nothing higher than a grade D, and everything else I failed or I didn’t turn up for. I really want to go back and get them.” Williams went on to achieve huge success with Take That before becoming one of Britain’s most successful solo artists. Simon Cowell Simon Cowell left school at 16 with just one O-level. He started out working in the mailroom at EMI Music Publishing before moving into talent scouting and the record business. Cowell eventually became one of the best-known figures in entertainment through shows including The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. Sir Richard Branson Sir Richard Branson left school without any qualifications before going on to build the Virgin business empire. Rather than following an academic route, he focused on business and later launched Virgin, which grew to include more than 100 companies. Reflecting on exam results on his blog, Branson wrote: “My suggestion is to not get too caught up in grades and concentrate on goals. Some people point rightly to the likes of Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, Sir Winston Churchill and Bill Gates and note that they all failed exams. They all went on to achieve great things.” Jamie Oliver Jamie Oliver has been open about leaving school with just two GCSEs before building a hugely successful career in food. On GCSE results day last year, the chef used Instagram to reassure students who may not have received the grades they wanted. He wrote: “Whatever your results, you’ve done brilliantly. Even if they’re not what you expected, you’re going to be just fine. Remember, school is just one part of your journey.” Oliver then pointed to his own experience, adding: “I came out of school with just two GCSEs, and look at me now! 30 cookbooks, done – and more to come." He went on to say he believes schools should celebrate different types of ability and help all children build confidence and thrive. Sarah Millican Sarah Millican has previously offered reassurance to students disappointed by their exam results by revealing her own A-level grades. The comedian said she received two D's and an E and told young people that not getting the grades they wanted was not the end of the world. She went on to build a hugely successful stand-up career and become a regular face on British television. Jon Snow Jon Snow went on to become one of the UK’s best-known broadcasters, but his A-level results were far from straightforward. He got a C in English and failed his other subjects, before later achieving a D and an E in economics and law. Snow then went to college to improve his qualifications and eventually secured a place at the University of Liverpool to study law through clearing. His advice to students has been simple: “Want to do what you want to do very badly,” adding: “There is life after A-levels.” James Corden James Corden left school with just two GCSEs, but went on to build a hugely successful career in television and entertainment. He became a household name through Gavin & Stacey before later hosting The Late Late Show in the US and appearing in a string of films and stage productions. Benedict Cumberbatch Benedict Cumberbatch has admitted his interest in academic success dipped after an impressive set of GCSE results. The actor told the Metro he had “blown” his GCSEs “out of the water”, creating expectations that he would reach an Oxbridge standard at A-level. But he later admitted becoming distracted as a teenager and getting “a bit lazy”. It did little to hold back his acting career, with Cumberbatch going on to become one of Britain's most recognisable film and television stars. Theo Paphitis Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis left school at 16 without qualifications after struggling with dyslexia. He started his working life as a filing clerk before moving into retail and entrepreneurship. Paphitis went on to build a major business career involving brands including Ryman and Robert Dyas. Jo Malone Jo Malone struggled with dyslexia at school and left without qualifications. She later turned her interest in fragrance into a hugely successful business career. She founded Jo Malone London before later launching Jo Loves. Deborah Meaden Deborah Meaden left school before completing her A-levels and instead went on to study business at college. She later built a successful career in business, including running a multi-million-pound family holiday company, before becoming one of the best-known investors on Dragons' Den. Guy Ritchie Guy Ritchie left school at the age of 15 after struggling with education and has said his only qualification is a GCSE in film studies. The director, who has dyslexia, recalled attending around 10 schools and said he was “appalling” at all of them. He later found his way into filmmaking, beginning as a runner before moving into commercials and music videos. Carey Mulligan Carey Mulligan faced a major setback when she tried to turn her interest in acting into a career. As a teenager, she was rejected by Rada, Central and Drama Centre London. She broke into acting and went on to establish herself as one of Britain's most acclaimed film stars. Alan Sugar Lord Alan Sugar has previously used GCSE results day to reassure students who did not get the grades they hoped for. Writing on X in 2017, he said: “GCSE RESULTS. If you didn't get the grades don't panic. @richardbranson didn't get any I never went to UNI. Get on with what you're good at.” Sugar went on to build a hugely successful business career, founding electronics company Amstrad before later becoming known to millions through The Apprentice. Stephen Fry Stephen Fry struggled at school and was expelled from more than one institution during his teenage years. He eventually returned to education and dramatically turned things around, later winning a place at Cambridge University. Fry went on to build a long career as an actor, comedian, broadcaster and writer. Lily Allen Lily Allen left school at 15 without gaining any GCSEs. Speaking on her BBC podcast Miss Me?, Allen admitted she still felt self-conscious about her education, saying: “I left school when I was 15 and I don't even have one GCSE, not one qualification.” Joss Stone Joss Stone left school at 16 with just three GCSEs after struggling academically with dyslexia. She had already begun pursuing music as a teenager and went on to become an internationally successful singer. Lenny Henry Sir Lenny Henry left school with no qualifications before beginning his career in entertainment as a teenager. He later returned to education, taking English and maths O-levels before eventually earning an English degree from the Open University. He went on to build a hugely successful career in comedy, acting and television. For anyone disappointed with their GCSE results, these famous faces prove one set of grades does not necessarily decide what happens next.