Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas has defended his controversial decision to allow his daughter Scarlett to skip sitting her GCSEs.
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.
The caption read: ‘I’m watching everyone get there [sic] GCSE results today wondering if I could’ve had good results but I will forever wonder.’
The clip has caused much controversy online, with many complaining that it was ‘unacceptable’ for the teenager to forgo sitting the exams and attending school to focus on her budding acting career.
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 in the comment section and hit back.
He defiantly said: ‘Is it even anyone’s business or concern though?’
Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas has defended his controversial decision to allow his nepo baby daughter Scarlett to skip sitting her GCSEs
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
He defiantly said: ‘Is it even anyone’s business or concern though?’
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 in the comment section and hit back
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.
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Scarlett Thomas' staggering payday 'revealed' as her famous father Ryan insists she hasn't had a free ride – after nepo baby, 16, skipped taking GCSEs
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.
Her first TV appearance was in Waterloo Road – one of several shows that made her uncle Adam Thomas, 37, a household name.
Scarlett has previously hit back at those who have criticised her for taking acting opportunities at such a young age.
The critics wrote: ‘You only got those opportunities because of your family.’
Scarlett hit back: ‘God forbid a girl takes the chances she gets.’
At the time of Scarlett’s acting debut, her mum Tina – best known for playing Sarah Platt on Coronation Street alongside Ryan, who is best known for his portrayal of Jason Grimshaw – took to Instagram to express her pride.
She wrote: ‘So proud of @scarlettjthomas26, she’s worked so hard on Waterloo Road and I’ve absolutely loved watching her portrayal of Izzy.
She kicked off her acting career in Waterloo Road – one of several shows that made her uncle, Adam Thomas, a household name
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
Scarlett has previously hit back at those who have criticised her for taking acting opportunities at such a young age
‘Wonderful to see her talent recognised by @tvtimesmagazine as she’s been nominated for an award.’
With Scarlett making waves not only in her role on BBC’s Waterloo Road but on social media too, industry experts told the publication that she could make ‘at least £2million before she’s even 18.’
She has amassed over 165k followers on TikTok, with a further 138k fans over on Instagram – with both accounts launched when she turned 16 in October.
As well as her own, she regularly appears on her parents’ social medias, with the Thomas family also having their own account.
This includes her famous uncles, actor Adam and Love Island star Scott, as well as Ryan’s former TOWIE star fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh.
PR expert Lynn Carratt told the publication: ‘It’s clear they’re a close-knit family who understand how to use social media effectively to build their careers. They capitalise on TikTok trends, and each member is talented in their own right.’
She added that from a PR perspective, the family’s TikTok videos are an ‘excellent platform’ for displaying their talent to a ‘huge audience’.
She went on: ‘Teddy is clearly talented, and it seems the children in the family will follow in their fathers’ footsteps. Scarlett often appears in videos with her dad and uncles, showcasing her singing and acting skills. With both parents in TV, their talent has clearly rubbed off on Scarlett. She comes across as a confident and likeable girl who is close to her family.
Lynn added: ‘The Thomas family videos are strategically leveraging each other’s personalities and showcasing their talents to millions daily.
‘This approach is garnering them even more attention than traditional TV appearances and is creating numerous career opportunities for the entire family.
Scarlett’s famous family includes Emmerdale star Adam Thomas (centre) and Love Islander Scott Thomas (right)
‘I believe Scarlett and her younger cousin Teddy are poised for fabulous opportunities in the entertainment industry, and I can see Scarlett potentially joining a girl band as she gets older.’
Speaking in an interview with The Sun, Ryan previously defended his daughter’s start in the industry and claimed she wasn’t at an unfair advantage.
He said: ‘Everyone thinks she gets a lift up from family, getting on Waterloo Road.
‘But she worked damn hard to get that job, and people need to recognise that she’s a talented girl – she’s up against other people and she’s not getting a free ride.’
He added: ‘She has to go through the same process as everyone else – it was between her and somebody else. It wasn’t like, ‘This is a Thomas, she’s going to get this job”.
Scarlett recently clapped back at ‘ nepo baby ‘ claims in a video posted on social media
Taking to TikTok , Scarlett shared a carefree video of herself in the passenger seat of a convertible as she lip-synced to the 1977 hit Easy by Commodores
Coronation Street legend Tina and Scott both pictured in 2007
At the age of 14, the budding actress was quickly snapped up for her first major role on screen, winning the part of Izzie Charles in the BBC drama Waterloo Road.
Adam played her on-screen father, Donte, while his son Teddy, 10, who he shares with his wife Caroline Thomas, played his on-screen son.
Scarlett recently clapped back at ‘nepo baby’ claims in a video posted on social media.
Taking to TikTok, Scarlett shared a carefree video of herself in the passenger seat of a convertible as she lip-synced to the 1977 hit Easy by Commodores.
In the clip, she donned oversized sunglasses, gold hoop earrings, and a brown off-the-shoulder jumper.
Alongside the short video, Scarlett addressed a frequent comment from online trolls: ‘You only got these opportunities because of your family.’
But the young soap star was quick to hit back at critics who question or undermine her achievements.
Scarlett wrote on top of the clip: ‘God forbid a girl takes the chances she gets.’
While former couple Tina and Ryan have made a name for themselves on the small screen, it appears they may well be outshone by their rising star daughter as she forges a flourishing career.
The Sun reports that while Ryan and Tina have had tensions in the past, they’ve come together in strong support of their daughter, with a source noting the family have ‘huge plans’ for Scarlett (as well as her cousin Teddy) and ‘spend hours’ deliberating the best steps for their career.