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Ryan-Mark Parsons
FRSA
Parsons in 2020
Born (2000-04-04) 4 April 2000 (age 24)
London, United Kingdom
EducationBabington House School
Occupations
  • Media personality
  • columnist
  • commentator
  • political advisor
Years active2019–present
Employers
Television

Ryan-Mark Parsons FRSA (born 4 April 2000) is a British media personality, columnist, commentator, and political advisor. Parsons is best known for being the youngest-ever candidate on the BBC One reality series The Apprentice (2019) and starring in E4's Celebs Go Dating.[1][2][3][4]

Parsons has also featured in viral and controversial debates on Good Morning Britain.[5][6] In September 2020, he was named a columnist for the Daily Star and later for the Daily Express in 2024, British tabloids.[7][8]

Following the 2024 United Kingdom general election, Parsons became a communications advisor to a Shadow Minister and is based in the House of Commons.[9]

Early life

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Parsons was born on 4 April 2000 in London, United Kingdom. He was educated at Babington House School, a private school in Chislehurst, southeast London, and chose not to go to university.[10][11] Before his media career, Parsons was a Brand Ambassador for Gucci in Harrods; alongside internships at the Palace of Westminster, Matrix Chambers, 5 King's Bench Walk, AIG and NHS.[12][13]

Career

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2019–2020: The Apprentice and the Daily Star

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Parsons joined The Apprentice, aged 19, as the youngest-ever candidate since the show began in 2005.[14] Parsons' performance was praised by Sean O'Grady, Associate Editor of The Independent, stating the "cherubic Ryan-Mark Parsons is the real winner of this series."[15] Similarly in The Telegraph, Anita Singh wrote: "Technically, there are a dozen contestants in the show. Really, there are only three: Thomas Skinner and Lottie Lion, and Ryan-Mark."[16]

During Week Six, Parsons tested one of the rollercoasters at Thorpe Park, which caused thousands of viewers to react online. According to Hello!, 13,000 X (Twitter) mentions and 10,000 hashtags were used, which made this scene one of the most talked about TV moments of 2019.[17][18]

Parsons later appeared on The Apprentice: You're Fired! hosted by Tom Allen on BBC Two, alongside guests Dominic Holland, Tomeka Empson and Claudine Collins.[19]

In 2020, Parsons featured in The Apprentice Best Bits, which was a six-part compilation series across fifteen series of the show. It was created to replace the 2020 series which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.[20]

Parsons was fired 'with regret' in Week Eight of The Apprentice and the episode overall gained 6.6 million viewers.[21] In his exit interviews, Parsons caused controversy after calling fellow candidates "desperate."[22][23]

Various pictures surfaced of Parsons in December 2019, including at McDonald's in one of their London restaurants eating with a knife and fork. The story was subsequently reported by a number of online newspapers and became viral. US-based celebrity podcast, Who? Weekly, addressed the story in the episode: 'British reality star Ryan-Mark Parsons (he likes McDonald's)'.[24][25]

On 23 January 2020, Parsons featured as a panellist in a Good Morning Britain debate over whether Australia should 'sell koala fur' to fund bushfire aid. Parsons made the argument that dead koala fur could be sold "to raise money for the injured animals in the rescue centres."[26] This was criticised by animal rights activist, Wendy Turner Webster, who called his idea "grotesque",[5] alongside presenter Susanna Reid labelling the suggestion as "sick."[27] He was met with widespread public and media backlash from UK, Australian and New Zealand press, denouncing Parsons for his views.[28][29]

At the start of September 2020, it was announced Parsons would join the Daily Star as a weekly columnist. The newspaper described him: "Often controversial, Parsons will bring his no-holds-barred opinions to Daily Star Online, talking about the biggest events in television."[7]

Parsons made several radio appearances in 2019, including TalkRadio with Julia Hartley-Brewer, BBC Radio 5 Live: Wake Up to Money, and BBC Asian Network.

2021–2022: Media appearances, Celebs Go Dating and presenting

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Parsons appeared on the celebrity series of BBC Three's Eating with My Ex, which aired on 14 February 2021.[30][31]

From March 2021, it emerged Parsons joined RT as a regular contributor, first featuring in a report on Oprah with Meghan and Harry.[32] He has since presented a series of reports for the Russian-funded network, including covering Prince Harry's remarks on First Amendment to the United States Constitution.[33]

On 3 June 2021, Parsons was also involved in a highly contentious Good Morning Britain debate with Richard Madeley, Charlotte Hawkins, and Dr Hilary Jones over whether under-30s should be punished for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine. Parsons argued under-30s should be punished, including bans from public venues.[34] He claimed in his Daily Star column, death threats made after the debate were being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.[35] The clip of the debate on X (Twitter) received over 500,000 views.[36]

Parsons appeared on 'Andrew Neil Live' on 23 June 2021 to debate whether employers could demand staff to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus before being allowed to return to the office. Morgan Stanley announced staff would need to be double-vaccinated to enter their New York offices, to which Parsons argued in favour of this action during the debate.[37][38]

ITV announced on 14 October 2021, Parsons would take part in an online Good Morning Britain spin-off called Off The Table, hosted by Julie Adenuga. The channel said: "The new series will feature four hot topic 15 minute episodes which will be published across a month, including money, climate change, cancel culture and life after Covid."[39]

On 27 October 2021, Channel 4 announced Parsons would be taking part in the tenth series of Celebs Go Dating on E4. Parsons and the show were criticised by The Independent's Sean O'Grady, calling Celebs Go Dating "sadistic" and claiming "he should be at school."[40] According to dating agent Anna Williamson, Parsons received the worst score in Celebs Go Dating history and was put on hold from further dates.[41]

On 14 February 2022, BBC announced Parsons would feature in the new celebrity series of Hot Property on BBC Three, which sees celebrities visit the homes of potential matches and eventually landing a blind date.[42]

Parsons started presenting for boohooMAN in March 2022, alongside Love Island series seven contestant Toby Aromolaran and series eight winner Davide Sanclimenti, in a series of videos published online.[43][44]

On 24 November 2022, Parsons announced a digital series for Channel 4 which was produced by Lime Pictures and 4Studios, which followed Parsons around the UK asking the public about love and relationships.[45][46]

2023–present: Welsh documentary, Daily Express and House of Commons

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In March 2023, Parsons appeared in More than Daffs and Taffs, premiering on BBC iPlayer and S4C's Hansh. The series followed reality stars, including Gemma Collins, challenge clichés attached to Wales, presented by Miriam Isaac.[47]

An interview in March 2023 revealed Parsons would be taking part in Tony n' Tina's Wedding, playing Joey Vitale at the ArcelorMittal Orbit in London, produced by Paul Gregg.[48][49]

Parsons returned to series twelve of Celebs Go Dating, which aired in August 2023, where he dated Made in Chelsea's Mark-Francis Vandelli on the request of agents Anna Williamson and Paul Brunson.[50]

On 1 February 2024, Parsons started writing for the Daily Express, first covering the return of series eighteen of The Apprentice.[8]

Parsons campaigned for the Conservative Party during the 2024 United Kingdom general election. He later became a communications advisor to a Member of Parliament, who also serves as a Shadow Minister for the Departments of Business and Trade and Transport.[9]

Views

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Since Parsons' appearance on The Apprentice, he has expressed controversial viewpoints in his newspaper columns, on television and radio.

Fur trade

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Parsons supports the trade of animal fur. During his appearance on Good Morning Britain, he argued that the fur from koalas killed in the Australian bushfire could be used to "capitalise on and cater to" strong global demand for fur products.[5] Also explaining the fur could be used for "a scarf for example. It could be something someone could wear."[51]

Political correctness

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Parsons is anti-PC and has criticised the removal of shows like Come Fly With Me, which was pulled from streaming services Netflix and BBC iPlayer.[52] He claimed there is a rise of a "snowflake movement" and is "excited we have [Spitting Image] on our screens that could offend people and pushes the boundaries beyond the sanitised and soporific 'entertainment' that we see nowadays."[53]

Royal Family

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In an article published in response to Oprah with Meghan and Harry, Parsons supported the Queen and other members of the British royal family. He called the interview "Oscar-worthy" and "a shameless, callous, and brutal character assassination on the Royal Family", which aimed to "fatally destroy the reputation of the Queen."[54]

Vaccinations

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Across several appearances in 2021, Parsons argued for vaccines against coronavirus. Debating on shows such as Good Morning Britain and GB News, Parsons strongly supported schemes that encouraged vaccinations against the virus.[55]

National service

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During a Good Morning Britain debate on 25 January 2024, Parsons advocated for the return of National service after General Sir Patrick Sanders said Britain should train a "citizen army." Parsons' views garnered over five million views on X (Twitter) and millions more across other social media platforms.[56][57]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Notes Ref.
2019 The Apprentice Contestant; Series 15 [1]
2020 The Apprentice Best Bits Contestant; Special [20]
2019–present Various shows (TalkRadio & TalkTV) Regular contributor [58]
2020–present Good Morning Britain Regular contributor [5]
2021 Celebrity Eating with My Ex (BBC Three) Participant; Series 3 [31]
2021–present Various shows (GB News) Regular contributor [38]
2022 Celebs Go Dating Participant; Series 10 [3]
2022 Celebrity Hot Property (BBC Three) Participant; Series 3 [42]
2023 More than Daffs and Taffs (S4C) Participant; Series 1 [47]
2023 Celebs Go Dating Participant; Series 12 [50]
2024–present Breakfast with Kay Burley (Sky News) Regular contributor [59]

Digital

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Year Title Notes Ref.
2021 Off The Table (ITV) Participant; Series 1 [39]
2022 Street Dating with boohooMAN Presenter; Series 1 [43]
2022 Love & Relationships (Channel 4) Presenter; Short Series [46]
2023 Davide vs. with boohooMAN Participant; Series 1 [44]

Theatre

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Year Title Role Theatre Location Ref.
2023 Tony n' Tina's Wedding Joey Vitale ArcelorMittal Orbit London [49]

Guest appearances

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Charity

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In December 2020, Parsons switched on the Christmas lights for the London Borough of Bromley, raising money for children's charity Go Beyond. He said, "I’m really looking forward to helping Bromley get festive and raising money for this brilliant cause".[63]

It was announced on 28 June 2021, Parsons would become Go Beyond's patron, joining the likes of Kate Winslet, Jennifer Saunders and Alan Titchmarsh.[64]

Publications

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References

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  1. ^ a b "BBC One – The Apprentice, Series 15 – Ryan-Mark Parsons". BBC.
  2. ^ "The Apprentice 2019 contestants: meet Lord Sugar's remaining candidates". The Telegraph. 9 October 2019. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Celebs Go Dating announce Ulrika Jonsson, Abz Love, Chloe Brockett, Miles Nazaire, Nikita Jasmine & Ryan-Mark Parsons as they re-enter the dating game and begin their search for love | Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  4. ^ @ryanmarkparsons (15 July 2024). "Delighted to have rejoined the Royal Society of Arts. Looking forward to contributing to a global community of innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ a b c d Shields, Bevan (24 January 2020). "'Grotesque': British entrepreneur shot down over plan to sell koala fur as bushfire fundraiser". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  6. ^ Hill, Rose (10 December 2021). "Disgusted GMB fans slam 'brat' Apprentice star, 21, as he calls elderly 'lazy'". mirror. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  7. ^ a b Wetherill, Jack (9 September 2020). "The Apprentice's Ryan-Mark Parsons joins Daily Star Online for new TV column". Dailystar.co.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  8. ^ a b Parsons, Ryan-Mark (1 February 2024). "'The Apprentice has become staler than Lord Sugar's jokes - time for a change'". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Ryan-Mark Parsons' LinkedIn". LinkedIn.
  10. ^ "This is where all The Apprentice 2019 candidates went to uni". UK. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Ryan-Mark Parsons private school education cost £5,500 a term - The Apprentice 2019!". Reality Titbit. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  12. ^ "The Apprentice 2019: Former Matrix mini-pupil set to become youngest-ever contestant". Legal Cheek. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  13. ^ "Meet Apprentice 2019's Ryan-Mark Parsons, the show's youngest ever candidate". Radio Times. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  14. ^ "The Apprentice Line Up Has Been Released So We've Made Some Predictions Based Mostly On Their Suits". Grazia. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  15. ^ "This year's Apprentice winner is worthy and, most unusually, likeable – review". The Independent. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  16. ^ Singh, Anita (6 November 2019). "The Apprentice, episode 6 review: a bunch of blaggers so hapless you wouldn't even trust them to wash your car". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  17. ^ Shenton, Zoe (7 November 2019). "The Apprentice contestants tested a rollercoaster and it was hilarious". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  18. ^ "The most talked about TV moments of 2019 have been revealed – and they might surprise you". HELLO!. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  19. ^ "Steam Train". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  20. ^ a b "BBC calls off The Apprentice 2020 series". BBC News. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Weekly top programmes on four screens (from Sept 2018) | BARB". Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  22. ^ "The Apprentice's Ryan-Mark Parsons claims other fired candidates are "desperate"". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  23. ^ "Here's who was fired from The Apprentice 2019". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  24. ^ Newman, Vicki (4 December 2019). "Apprentice star Ryan-Mark baffles fans as he eats McDonald's with knife and fork". mirror. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  25. ^ "Who? Weekly: The Peloton Wife, Ryan-Mark Parsons & K.T. Tunstall? on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  26. ^ "The Apprentice's Ryan-Mark Parsons claims koala fur should be sold for charity". Metro. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  27. ^ "Apprentice star branded 'sick' after suggesting koala fur should be sold for charity". Daily Mirror. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  28. ^ "'Disgusting suggestion': Businessman's plan for dead koalas slammed". NZ Herald. 24 January 2020. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  29. ^ "Businessman slammed over 'vile' plan for koalas killed in bushfire crisis". 7NEWS.com.au. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  30. ^ "Eating with My Ex". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  31. ^ a b "Meet the celebrities on BBC Three's Eating With My Ex". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  32. ^ 'Megan Markle has made Prince Harry a lapdog' - Ryan-Mark Parsons, RT, retrieved 26 May 2021
  33. ^ Farrell, Kyle (25 May 2021). "Prince Harry's attack on First Amendment was 'calculated' - 'Should know better!'". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  34. ^ Channon, Max (3 June 2021). "Antivaxxers 'have no right to go to pub or restaurants'". WalesOnline. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  35. ^ Parsons, Ryan-Mark (5 June 2021). "'Anti-vaxxers are harming us all with stupid delusions - get the jab, shut up'". Dailystar.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  36. ^ @GMB (3 June 2021). "A survey for GMB has found that 1 in 5 18-29 years olds will either refuse to take the vaccine when offered or are undecided. Ryan Mark Parsons says under 30s 'don't have the right' to go to pubs and restaurants if they don't have the Covid-19 vaccine" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  37. ^ Nguyen, Lananh (23 June 2021). "Morgan Stanley says no vaccine, no entry". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  38. ^ a b @ryanmarkparsons (24 June 2021). "Great fun with Andrew Neil on #GBNews" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ a b "Good Morning Britain to launch first ever YouTube original series". Press Centre. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  40. ^ "Why is the cruel and sadistic Celebs Go Dating still on TV?". The Independent. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  41. ^ Sarrubba, Stefania (10 February 2022). "Celebs Go Dating puts Ryan-Mark on hold for "toxic" behaviour". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  42. ^ a b "Line-up announced for new celebrity series of Hot Property". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  43. ^ a b THE SAUCIEST & NAUGHTIEST QUESTIONS | Toby Aromolaran & Ryan-Mark Parsons | Street Dating S1E5, retrieved 19 December 2022
  44. ^ a b DAVIDE VS. RYAN-MARK PARSONS | EPISODE 3 | boohooMAN, retrieved 26 January 2023
  45. ^ "Very excited to share my new digital series with @Channel4 very soon.. Produced by the fabulous @LimePictures". Twitter. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  46. ^ a b Laurie, Dan (16 December 2022). "Ryan-Mark Parsons says Brighton has 'worst daters' in 'eye-opening' new series". Dailystar.co.uk. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  47. ^ a b "Press | S4C". www.s4c.cymru. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  48. ^ Marshall, Michelle (16 March 2023). "Vanessa Feltz's dumped ex defended as 'a sweet guy' by Apprentice star". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  49. ^ a b James (1 April 2023). "The wedding of the year is back on track. Tony & Tina will tie the knot at the London Olympic Park on April 22". Luxury News Online. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  50. ^ a b "Celebs Go Dating star confirms return for explosive new scenes". Digital Spy. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  51. ^ Scullard, Vickie (23 January 2020). "Ryan-Mark Parsons slammed for suggesting to sell fur from dead koalas". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  52. ^ "Little Britain pulled from iPlayer and Netflix". BBC News. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  53. ^ Parsons, Ryan-Mark; Wetherill, Jack (2 October 2020). "'Maisie Smith will rescue bland Strictly line-up,' says Apprentice's Ryan-Mark". Dailystar.co.uk. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  54. ^ Parsons, Ryan-Mark (8 March 2021). "'Stop Meghan, the Oscar-worthy performance isn't working' says Ryan-Mark Parsons". Dailystar.co.uk. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  55. ^ Channon, Max (3 June 2021). "Antivaxxers 'have no right to go to pub or restaurants'". WalesOnline. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  56. ^ "'Our youth would surprise us if it came to it.' The British public will be called up to fight if the UK goes to war because the military is too small, the head of the Army has warned. Is it time to bring back National Service?". X (Twitter). 25 January 2024.
  57. ^ "Britain must train citizen army, military chief warns". BBC News. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  58. ^ TalkRadio Interview with Julia Hartley-Brewer [2019] | Ryan-Mark Parsons. Retrieved 24 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  59. ^ "Discussing the biggest stories this Friday on @SkyNews. Until next time". X (Twitter). 2 February 2024.
  60. ^ "BBC Two - The Apprentice: You're Fired, Series 15, Steam Train". BBC. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  61. ^ "Watch Married at First Sight UK: One Year On | Stream free on Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  62. ^ "BBC One - Sunday Morning Live, Series 14, Episode 10". BBC. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  63. ^ "Bromley Christmas lights switch-on goes virtual for 2020 with online festivities". News Shopper. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  64. ^ "Our newest charity Patron: Ryan-Mark Parsons". Go Beyond. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
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