{"id":22318,"date":"2025-08-25T14:31:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T14:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/22318\/"},"modified":"2025-08-25T14:31:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T14:31:11","slug":"ryan-thomas-defends-controversial-decision-to-allow-his-nepo-baby-daughter-scarlett-to-skip-sitting-her-gcses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/22318\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryan Thomas defends controversial decision to allow his &#8216;nepo baby&#8217; daughter Scarlett to skip sitting her GCSEs"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"author-section byline-plain\">By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/profile-3402\/dolly-busby.html\" class=\"author\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DOLLY BUSBY, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n<p class=\"byline-section\"> Published:  09:39 EDT, 25 August 2025   |  Updated:  09:46 EDT, 25 August 2025   <\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><a style=\"font-weight: bold;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/coronation_street\/index.html\" id=\"mol-bcc3d2f0-81b1-11f0-b569-a7151ed5ab83\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Coronation Street<\/a> star\u00a0<a style=\"font-weight: bold;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/ryan-thomas\/index.html\" id=\"mol-bc9bb180-81b1-11f0-b569-a7151ed5ab83\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ryan Thomas<\/a>\u00a0has defended his controversial decision to allow his <a style=\"font-weight: bold;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/nepo-babies\/index.html\" id=\"mol-e5cdffd0-81b2-11f0-b569-a7151ed5ab83\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">nepo baby<\/a> daughter Scarlett to skip sitting her GCSEs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Scarlett, 16, who appeared in <a style=\"font-weight: bold;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/bbc\/index.html\" id=\"mol-bcb13550-81b1-11f0-b569-a7151ed5ab83\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">BBC<\/a>&#8216;s Waterloo Road in 2023, recently shared that she did not sit the nationwide exams in a video posted to her\u00a0<a style=\"font-weight: bold;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/tiktok\/index.html\" id=\"mol-bcba0ef0-81b1-11f0-b569-a7151ed5ab83\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TikTok<\/a>\u00a0page.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The caption read: &#8216;I&#8217;m watching everyone get there [sic] GCSE results today wondering if I could&#8217;ve had good results but I will forever wonder.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The clip has caused much controversy online, with many complaining that it was &#8216;unacceptable&#8217; for the teenager to forgo sitting the exams and attending school to focus on her budding acting career.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Under one post which criticised the decision from her parents, who are former Coronation Street co-stars Ryan and <a style=\"font-weight: bold;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/tvshowbiz\/tina-o-brien\/index.html\" id=\"mol-e5c72200-81b2-11f0-b569-a7151ed5ab83\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tina O&#8217;Brien<\/a>, her father weighed in on the comment section and hit back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">He defiantly said: &#8216;Is it even anyone&#8217;s business or concern though?&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-7a240427d1c1609a\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/101522957-15031883-image-a-2_1756127490974.jpg\" height=\"864\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas has defended his controversial decision to allow his nepo baby daughter Scarlett to skip sitting her GCSEs\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" style=\"max-width:100%\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>   <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas has defended his controversial decision to allow his nepo baby daughter Scarlett to skip sitting her GCSEs<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-2e07e10c4a1fb3e7\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/101489661-15031883-Scarlett_was_clearly_feeling_reflective_this_week_as_teenagers_a-a-3_175612752641.jpeg\" height=\"1061\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Scarlett, 16, who appeared in BBC 's Waterloo Road in 2023, recently shared that she did not sit the nationwide exams in a video posted to her TikTok page\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" style=\"max-width:100%\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>   <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Scarlett, 16, who appeared in BBC &#8216;s Waterloo Road in 2023, recently shared that she did not sit the nationwide exams in a video posted to her TikTok page\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-740a56a03e6445c\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/101489667-15031883-Ryan_Thomas_teenage_daughter_Scarlett_16_took_to_TikTok_on_Frida-a-4_175612756800.jpeg\" height=\"796\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Under one post which criticised the decision from her parents, who are former Coronation Street co-stars Ryan and Tina O'Brien, her father weighed in on the comment section and hit back\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" style=\"max-width:100%\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>   <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Under one post which criticised the decision from her parents, who are former Coronation Street co-stars Ryan and Tina O&#8217;Brien, her father weighed in on the comment section and hit back\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The actress has made it clear that she wants to follow in the footsteps of her famous parents into the entertainment industry and has a passion for acting and singing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">While most young people in England do sit GCSEs, they are not a legal requirement under the Education Act of 1996. Students can choose to pursue other qualifications or leave formal education at 16.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Her first TV appearance was in Waterloo Road &#8211; one of several shows that made her uncle Adam Thomas, 37, a household name.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Scarlett has previously hit back at those who have criticised her for taking acting opportunities at such a young age.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Replying to the criticism: &#8216;You only got those opportunities because of your family&#8217;, she wrote: &#8216;God forbid a girl takes the chances she gets.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">At the time of Scarlett&#8217;s acting debut, her mum Tina &#8211; best known for playing Sarah Platt on Coronation Street alongside her father who is best known for his portrayal of Jason Grimshaw &#8211; took to Instagram to express her pride.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She wrote: &#8216;So proud of @scarlettjthomas26, she&#8217;s worked so hard on Waterloo Road and I&#8217;ve absolutely loved watching her portrayal of Izzy.<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-bd533ccb62bb0829\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/101490157-15031883-She_kicked_off_her_acting_career_in_2023_with_a_role_in_Waterloo-a-5_175612758903.jpeg\" height=\"629\" width=\"634\" alt=\"She kicked off her acting career in Waterloo Road - one of several shows that made her uncle, Adam Thomas, a household name\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" style=\"max-width:100%\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>   <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">She kicked off her acting career in Waterloo Road &#8211; one of several shows that made her uncle, Adam Thomas, a household name<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-a3f21cd6c92010a6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/101490113-15031883-image-a-6_1756127595449.jpg\" height=\"125\" width=\"634\" alt=\"\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" style=\"max-width:100%\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>      <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-a3f21d0db3d431e0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/101490111-15031883-image-a-7_1756127597114.jpg\" height=\"150\" width=\"634\" alt=\"\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" style=\"max-width:100%\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>      <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-42e81de2d48ef77c\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/101490103-15031883-Fans_of_the_teen_actress_were_shocked_to_discover_that_she_hadn_-a-8_175612759860.jpeg\" height=\"157\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Fans of the teen actress were shocked to discover that she hadn't sat her milestone GCSEs and many questioned why she chose not to get any qualifications\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" style=\"max-width:100%\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>   <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Fans of the teen actress were shocked to discover that she hadn&#8217;t sat her milestone GCSEs and many questioned why she chose not to get any qualifications<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-6b3abb5f46b8ac58\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/101489681-15031883-Scarlett_who_is_also_the_daughter_of_Corrie_star_Tina_O_Brien_ha-a-10_17561276041.jpeg\" height=\"1140\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Scarlett has previously hit back at those who have criticised her for taking acting opportunities at such a young age\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" style=\"max-width:100%\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>   <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Scarlett has previously hit back at those who have criticised her for taking acting opportunities at such a young age<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;Wonderful to see her talent recognised by @tvtimesmagazine as she&#8217;s been nominated for an award.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">With Scarlett making waves not only in her role on BBC&#8217;s Waterloo Road but on social media too, industry experts told the publication that she could make &#8216;at least \u00a32million before she&#8217;s even 18.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">She has amassed over 165k followers on the site, with a further 138k fans over on Instagram &#8211; with both accounts launched when she turned 16 in October.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">As well as her own, she regularly appears on her parents&#8217; social medias, with the Thomas family also having their own account.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">This includes her famous uncles, actor Adam and Love Island star Scott, as well as Ryan&#8217;s former TOWIE star fianc\u00e9e Lucy Mecklenburgh.<\/p>\n<p>                    Share or comment on this article:<br \/>\n                        Ryan Thomas defends controversial decision to allow his &#8216;nepo baby&#8217; daughter Scarlett to skip sitting her GCSEs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk\u00a0 By DOLLY BUSBY, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER Published: 09:39 EDT, 25 August 2025&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":22319,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[3412,6639,118,18,117,19,17,19123,1150,438],"class_list":{"0":"post-22318","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-bbc","9":"tag-coronation-street","10":"tag-dailymail","11":"tag-eire","12":"tag-entertainment","13":"tag-ie","14":"tag-ireland","15":"tag-ryan-thomas","16":"tag-tiktok","17":"tag-tvshowbiz"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22318"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22318\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}