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Twitter backlash against celebrities who boast of failing exams and still succeeding

Jeremy Clarkson writes an annual tweet about his A Level failure - EPA/ANDY RAIN 
Jeremy Clarkson writes an annual tweet about his A Level failure - EPA/ANDY RAIN

Many have instigated a furious backlash against celebrities who boast of doing badly in their A-levels and still succeeding in life.

The most maligned public figure for committing this social media faux pas is Jeremy Clarkson, who annually boasts of his wealth - despite his low exam results.

He tweeted on results day: "Don’t worry if your A level grades aren’t any good. I got a C and 2 Us. And I’m sitting here deciding which of my Range Rovers to use today."

Many responded with derision. One Twitter user wrote: "If you’re worried about A levels, so you should be, I got better grades than Jeremy Clarkson and I’ve never been on a yacht."

Teacher Katharine Birbalsingh tweeted: "Genuine plea from a teacher - Please stop encouraging kids to not work hard for their exams & in life. That’s what you are doing when you say ‘I have 2 Range Rovers & I did badly on my A levels’ It makes our jobs so much harder. Poor kids need to work hard."

However, some enjoyed his tweet. Hannah Godfrey wrote: "Every year I look forward to Jeremy Clarkson's braggy a levels tweet. A fun reminder that you don't need straight A*s to crack on in life."

Many pointed out that A-levels are sometimes vital to those who don't have family connections or wealth to fall back on.

One Twitter user wrote: "Shoutout to all the celebrities with rich parents telling A Level hopefuls not to worry about their results as it all worked out fine for them."

Mark Ford agreed, tweeting: "Anyone who does the 'I got no A levels and I've done alright' line is not somebody to look up to. For every person like that there'll be millions who didn't. Selling that as a way forward is irresponsible at the least."

Guardian columnist AdityaChakrabortty wrote: "Dear students, your A-levels aren’t so important. What matters most is that your parents have a house in London or the south-east in which to put you up during internships and then to use as equity for you to buy your first home. Don’t change your grades! Change your parents."

And Matthew Thompson argued: "A levels are really important and people who failed them and then got a great job are the exception not the rule k thx bye."

Aside from Jeremy Clarkson, other celebrities wished students luck on results day.

Nigella Lawson tweeted:  “Very tense thinking of everyone waiting for A Level results today. So stressful for everyone, those who sat the exams and their parents.”

Advice | A-levels results
Advice | A-levels results

And Olympic gold medallist Sam Queck offered some advice, tweeting: “I’m not a fan of telling students that A-Level results ‘mean nothing’.

“If they aren’t what you hoped for, time is on your side & these results WON’T DEFINE YOU!

“But equally...if you worked hard & got the results you deserved, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS! BE PROUD! #alevelresults2018”