Ryan-Mark Parsons

Ryan-Mark Parsons, FRSA (born 4 April 2000) is a British media personality. He is best known for being the youngest-ever candidate on the BBC One show The Apprentice and featured in a controversial debate on Good Morning Britain.[1][2][3] Parsons has made several appearances as on television and radio shows as celebrity panelist or expert.

Ryan-Mark Parsons

FRSA
Parsons at Television Centre, London in 2020
Born (2000-04-04) April 4, 2000
London, United Kingdom
NationalityBritish
EducationBabington House School
OccupationMedia Personality
Known forYoungest-ever Candidate on The Apprentice
TelevisionThe Apprentice
The Apprentice: You're Fired!
Good Morning Britain
London Live
BBC London News
HonoursFellowship of Royal Society of Arts
Websiteryanmarkparsons.co.uk

Early life

Parsons was born on 4 April 2000 in London, United Kingdom. He was educated at Babington House School and chose not to go to university. Before television, he worked as a Brand Ambassador for Gucci in Harrods.[4][5]

The Apprentice 2019

Parsons joined The Apprentice aged 19, known to be the youngest-ever candidate since the show began in 2005. He described himself as having the ability to "forge a connection with anyone".[5][6] Parsons' performance was praised by Sean O'Grady, Associate Editor of The Independent, who said the “cherubic Ryan-Mark Parsons is the real winner of this series. He describes himself as “a 60-year old in a teenager’s body”, and according to his BBC biography, his role model is The Queen. With his extravagant style, I can quite imagine him graciously opening a stately home".[7]

During Week Six, Parsons and a fellow candidate tested one of the rollercoasters at Thorpe Park; where Parsons was described to be "screaming throughout the entire ride". This sparked a significant online reaction, receiving 13,000 Twitter mentions and 10,000 hashtags used; making it one of the most talked about TV moments from 2019, revealed by Freeview.[8][9]

On Week Seven, Parsons and another candidate were told to get off a Finnair plane bound for Finland due to the airline failing to cater for nut allergies. In a statement, Parsons told The Independent "I'm astounded by the airline's policy".[10][11]

During broadcast, it was first reported by Metro that Parsons and co-star Lottie Lion were dating based on a series of online exchanges. However, this was later denied by Parsons speaking exclusively with the same reporter, explaining he "would never ever date Lottie, she is the complete opposite of what I am interested in".[12][13]

Parsons also appeared as a guest and co-presented the first part of the BBC Two spin-off show The Apprentice: You're Fired! with comedian Tom Allen in Episode Eight. He was also invited to participate in the filming of BBC Two’s ‘You’re Hired!’, which is the spin-off show for The Final.[14][15]

Controversies

Parsons was fired 'with regret' in Week Eight of the competition, and his exit interviews caused controversy after calling fellow candidates a "waste of space" and "desperate".[16][17][18][19] Following his firing, a conversation was leaked about him insulting another contestant, leading to accusations of bullying. Parsons "branded his co-star 'ugly' and says she looks like a man in drag".[20] Weeks following the series, Parsons had an altercation with a different contestant, after they criticised Parsons for "charging fans for photos".[21][22] It was also reported that Parsons was hospitalised after he dropped "£1000 caviar on his foot" and the star was "rushed to hospital".[23] Various pictures of Parsons surfaced in December 2019, such as when he was caught by press eating McDonald's at one of their London restaurants with a knife and fork. This story went viral and was subsequently reported by the majority of online newspapers in UK, and a popular celebrity podcast in USA called Who? Weekly in which they talk about "British reality star Ryan-Mark Parsons (he likes McDonald's)".[24][25] This was along with other press shots of Parsons reportedly eating "meal worms in the park".[26]

In January 2020, Parsons was slammed for lashing out at a "family friend after they gifted him a pair of pyjamas from budget high street store Primark".[27] In the same month, press pictured Parsons as his gold tooth was "stolen in seagull attack", during a walk through Hyde Park, London.[28] Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Parsons shared a video of him crying over not being able to purchase camembert due to supermarket shortages as a result of stockpiling. In the video he said "I know it sounds pathetic and ridiculous in the whole situation, but ever since a child I find that camembert has always comforted me".[29]

In May 2020, Parsons and co-star Lottie Lion took to Instagram live stream, during which Lion impersonated a Venezuelan accent and was accused of racism. Parsons issued an apology for causing any offence for his laughter, but didn't uphold the incident was 'racist'.[30][31]

Good Morning Britain 2020
Main article: Good Morning Britain
Further information: 2019–20 Australian bushfire season

On 23 January 2020, Parsons featured as a celebrity panelist on Good Morning Britain to debate whether "Australia should 'sell koala fur' to fund bushfire aid". Parsons made the argument that the dead koala fur could be sold "to raise money for the injured animals in the rescue centres".[32] This was criticised by animal rights activist, Wendy Turner Webster, who called his idea "grotesque",[3] alongside presenter Susanna Reid labelling the suggestion as "sick".[33] He was met with strong public and media backlash from UK, Australian and New Zealand press, denouncing Parsons for his "vile" and "disgusting" views.[34][35]

Radio appearances
Year Title Role Notes
2019 Talkradio: Julia Hartley-Brewer Himself Guest
2019 BBC Radio 5 Live: Wake Up to Money Himself Guest
2019 BBC Asian Network: Breakfast Show Himself Guest
2020 Hits Radio: Breakfast Show Himself Guest

Awards and nominations

National Television Awards

Year Category Nominated work / Nominee Result Ref.
2020 Challenge Show The Apprentice Nominated [36]

Charity work

Parsons revealed in April 2020, he is raising money in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and will skydive for charity, explaining in an interview with Daily Star "all of the money raised now is going straight to the NHS, and we'll do the skydive after lockdown".[37]

Career

Before appearing on The Apprentice, Parsons worked as a Gucci Brand Ambassador in Harrods and in Aspinal of London; including several internships at the Palace of Westminster, Matrix Chambers, 5 King's Bench Walk, AIG and NHS.[5][38]

In several interviews, Parsons has expressed to continue work on television, including speaking to Metro, Parsons backed fans' claims to go on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, saying he's "always up for a challenge".[39] Parsons also remarked in an interview with The Independent, that he has "been approached by different people for different opportunities" and wouldn't rule out doing more media work.[16]

References
  1. "BBC One - The Apprentice, Series 15 - Ryan-Mark Parsons". BBC.
  2. "The Apprentice 2019 contestants: meet Lord Sugar's remaining candidates". The Telegraph. 2019-10-09. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  3. Shields, Bevan (2020-01-24). "'Grotesque': British entrepreneur shot down over plan to sell koala fur as bushfire fundraiser". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  4. "This is where all The Apprentice 2019 candidates went to uni". UK. 2019-10-09. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  5. "Meet Apprentice 2019's Ryan-Mark Parsons, the show's youngest ever candidate". Radio Times. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  6. "The Apprentice Line Up Has Been Released So We've Made Some Predictions Based Mostly On Their Suits". Grazia. 2019-09-25. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  7. "This year's Apprentice winner is worthy and, most unusually, likeable – review". The Independent. 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
  8. Shenton, Zoe (2019-11-07). "The Apprentice contestants tested a rollercoaster and it was hilarious". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  9. "The most talked about TV moments of 2019 have been revealed – and they might surprise you". HELLO!. 2019-12-19. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  10. "Apprentice contestants with life-threatening nut allergies told by airline: 'If you have an issue, get off the plane'". The Independent. 2019-11-13. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  11. "BBC One - The Apprentice, Series 15, Finland Advertising". BBC. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  12. "The Apprentice's Lottie Lion and Ryan-Mark tell fans they are 'dating'". Metro. 2019-11-16. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  13. "The Apprentice's Ryan-Mark reveals he 'would never' date Lottie Lion". Metro. 2019-11-21. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  14. "BBC Two - The Apprentice: You're Fired, Series 15, Steam Train". BBC. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  15. "BBC Two - The Apprentice: You're Fired, Series 15, You're Hired". BBC. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  16. "The Apprentice candidate Ryan-Mark Parsons speaks out after being fired". The Independent. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  17. "The Apprentice's Ryan-Mark Parsons claims other fired candidates are "desperate"". Radio Times. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  18. "Here's who was fired from The Apprentice 2019". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  19. "A tribute to Ryan-Mark: The Apprentice King who was gone too soon". UK. 2019-11-21. Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  20. "The Apprentice's Marianne Rawlins 'close to tears' after being compared to 'man in drag' by rival Ryan-Mark Parsons". Metro. 2019-12-02. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  21. "Ryan-Mark slams Apprentice co-star Lottie in signed pictures dispute". Evening Standard. 2019-12-31. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  22. Silverstein, Adam (2019-12-31). "The Apprentice's Lottie Lion and Ryan-Mark feud over charging fans for photos". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  23. "The Apprentice star Ryan-Mark Parsons is hospitalised after dropping £1000 of caviar on his foot". OK! Magazine. 2019-11-30.
  24. Newman, Vicki (2019-12-04). "Apprentice star Ryan-Mark baffles fans as he eats McDonald's with knife and fork". mirror. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  25. "Who? Weekly: The Peloton Wife, Ryan-Mark Parsons & K.T. Tunstall? on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  26. Waddell, Lily (2019-12-11). "'Posh' Apprentice star Ryan-Mark scoffs meal worms in the park". mirror. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  27. Kent, Sara-Aisha (2020-01-05). "Apprentice star Ryan-Mark lashes out at pal because they gifted him Primark pj's". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  28. Pike, Molly (2020-01-15). "The Apprentice star Ryan-Mark gets his gold tooth stolen in seagull attack". mirror. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  29. Hardwick, Jack (2020-04-05). "Apprentice's Ryan-Mark in floods of tears over Covid-19 camembert shortage". Dailystar.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  30. "The Apprentice candidate Lottie Lion apologises for 'racist' Instagram video". The Independent. 2020-05-03. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  31. "Ryan-Mark apologises to Jemelin Artigas over Lottie Lion 'racist' claims". Metro. 2020-05-03. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  32. "The Apprentice's Ryan-Mark Parsons claims koala fur should be sold for charity". Metro. 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  33. "Apprentice star branded 'sick' after suggesting koala fur should be sold for charity". Daily Mirror. 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  34. "'Disgusting suggestion': Businessman's plan for dead koalas slammed". NZ Herald. 2020-01-24. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  35. "Businessman slammed over 'vile' plan for koalas killed in bushfire crisis". 7NEWS.com.au. 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  36. "Ant and Dec win best presenter at NTAs for 19th year in a row". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  37. Grimshaw, Alicia (2020-04-14). "Apprentice's Ryan-Mark's luxury lockdown from tea classes to Harrods' treatments". Dailystar.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  38. "The Apprentice 2019: Former Matrix mini-pupil set to become youngest-ever contestant". Legal Cheek. 2019-09-26. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  39. "The Apprentice's Ryan-Mark backs calls to go on I'm A Celebrity 2020". Metro. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
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