Ryan-Mark Parsons

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.{{Cite web|date=2019-10-09|title=This is where all The Apprentice 2019 candidates went to uni|url=https://thetab.com/uk/2019/10/09/the-apprentice-universities-2019-128121|access-date=2021-04-25|website=UK|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|date=2019-11-14|title=Ryan-Mark Parsons private school education cost £5,500 a term - The Apprentice 2019!|url=https://www.realitytitbit.com/bbc/the-apprentice/ryan-mark-parsons-private-school-education-cost-5500-a-term-the-apprentice-2019|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Reality Titbit|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|date=2019-09-26|title=The Apprentice 2019: Former Matrix mini-pupil set to become youngest-ever contestant|url=https://www.legalcheek.com/2019/09/the-apprentice-2019-former-matrix-mini-pupil-set-to-become-youngest-ever-contestant/|access-date=2019-11-23|website=Legal Cheek}}{{Cite web|title=Meet Apprentice 2019's Ryan-Mark Parsons, the show's youngest ever candidate|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/apprentice-2019-ryan-mark-parsons/|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Radio Times|language=en}}

Parsons joined The Apprentice, aged 19, as the youngest-ever candidate since the show began in 2005.{{Cite web|url=https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/tv-and-film/apprentice-2019/|title=The Apprentice Line Up Has Been Released So We've Made Some Predictions Based Mostly On Their Suits|date=2019-09-25|website=Grazia|language=en|access-date=2019-11-23}} 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."{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-apprentice-final-review-carina-lepore-lottie-lion-ryan-mark-parsons-lord-sugar-scarlett-a9251706.html|title=This year's Apprentice winner is worthy and, most unusually, likeable – review|date=2019-12-18|newspaper=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2020-02-06}} 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."{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Anita|date=2019-11-06|title=The Apprentice, episode 6 review: a bunch of blaggers so hapless you wouldn't even trust them to wash your car|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2019/11/06/apprentice-episode-6-reviewa-bunch-blaggers-hapless-wouldnt/|access-date=2021-01-12|issn=0307-1235}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a29721150/apprentice-rollercoaster-task-ryan-mark-lewis-saw/|title=The Apprentice contestants tested a rollercoaster and it was hilarious|last=Shenton|first=Zoe|date=2019-11-07|website=Cosmopolitan|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-09}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2019121982252/most-talked-about-moments-tv-2019/|title=The most talked about TV moments of 2019 have been revealed – and they might surprise you|date=2019-12-19|website=HELLO!|language=en|access-date=2020-03-09}}

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.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Steam Train|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000bh3q|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-05|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}

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.{{Cite news|date=2020-06-24|title=BBC calls off The Apprentice 2020 series|language=en-GB|work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53164226|access-date=2020-10-02}}

Parsons was fired 'with regret' in Week Eight of The Apprentice and the episode overall gained 6.6 million viewers.{{Cite web|title=Weekly top programmes on four screens (from Sept 2018) {{!}} BARB|url=https://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/four-screen-dashboard/|access-date=2020-08-05|language=en-GB}} In his exit interviews, Parsons caused controversy after calling fellow candidates "desperate."{{Cite web|title=The Apprentice's Ryan-Mark Parsons claims other fired candidates are "desperate"|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-11-20/the-apprentice-ryan-mark-fired/|access-date=2019-11-23|website=Radio Times|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Here's who was fired from The Apprentice 2019|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/the-apprentice-2019-who-left-fired-last-week-episode-8-ryan-mark-parsons-recap-642381|access-date=2019-11-23|website=inews.co.uk|language=en}}

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)'.{{Cite web|last=Newman|first=Vicki|date=2019-12-04|title=Apprentice star Ryan-Mark baffles fans as he eats McDonald's with knife and fork|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/posh-apprentice-star-ryan-mark-21026676|access-date=2020-05-17|website=mirror}}{{Cite web|title=Who? Weekly: The Peloton Wife, Ryan-Mark Parsons & K.T. Tunstall? on Apple Podcasts|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-peloton-wife-ryan-mark-parsons-k-t-tunstall/id1076377547?i=1000459171319|access-date=2020-05-17|website=Apple Podcasts|language=en-us}}

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."{{Cite web|date=2020-01-23|title=The Apprentice's Ryan-Mark Parsons claims koala fur should be sold for charity|url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/23/apprentices-ryan-mark-parsons-infuriates-gmb-viewers-promotes-sale-koala-fur-charity-12107871/|access-date=2020-02-04|website=Metro|language=en}} This was criticised by animal rights activist, Wendy Turner Webster, who called his idea "grotesque", alongside presenter Susanna Reid labelling the suggestion as "sick."{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-01-23|title=Apprentice star branded 'sick' after suggesting koala fur should be sold for charity|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/apprentice-star-branded-sick-after-21341480|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-01-27|website=Daily Mirror|language=en-gb}} He was met with widespread public and media backlash from UK, Australian and New Zealand press, denouncing Parsons for his views.{{Cite news|date=2020-01-24|title='Disgusting suggestion': Businessman's plan for dead koalas slammed|language=en-NZ|work=The New Zealand Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12303231|access-date=2020-01-26|issn=1170-0777}}{{Cite web|date=2020-01-23|title=Businessman slammed over 'vile' plan for koalas killed in bushfire crisis|url=https://7news.com.au/news/bushfires/bushfire-crisis-apprentice-contestant-says-dead-koala-fur-should-be-sold-for-charity-c-661845|access-date=2020-01-26|website=7NEWS.com.au|language=en}}

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."

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.

Parsons appeared on the celebrity series of BBC Three's Eating with My Ex, which aired on 14 February 2021.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Eating with My Ex |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p095vf9l |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2021-02-04 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Meet the celebrities on BBC Three's Eating With My Ex |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/eating-with-my-ex-celebrity-cast-line-up/ |access-date=2021-02-14 |website=Radio Times |language=en}}

From March 2021, it emerged Parsons joined RT as a regular contributor, first featuring in a report on Oprah with Meghan and Harry.{{Citation|title='Megan Markle has made Prince Harry a lapdog' - Ryan-Mark Parsons, RT|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HltZ-ek3ewQ|language=en|access-date=2021-05-26}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Farrell|first=Kyle|date=2021-05-25|title=Prince Harry's attack on First Amendment was 'calculated' - 'Should know better!'|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1441113/Prince-Harry-attack-on-first-amendment-royal-family-latest-meghan-markle-Podcast-Video-VN|access-date=2021-05-26|website=Express.co.uk|language=en}}

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.{{Cite web|last=Channon|first=Max|date=2021-06-03|title=Antivaxxers 'have no right to go to pub or restaurants'|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/apprentice-star-ryan-mark-parsons-20730845|access-date=2021-06-08|website=WalesOnline|language=en}} He claimed in his Daily Star column, death threats made after the debate were being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.{{Cite web|last=Parsons|first=Ryan-Mark|date=2021-06-05|title='Anti-vaxxers are harming us all with stupid delusions - get the jab, shut up'|url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/idiot-anti-vaxxers-harming-selfish-24256248|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Dailystar.co.uk|language=en}} The clip of the debate on X (Twitter) received over 500,000 views.{{Cite tweet|number=1400350097393827841|user=GMB|title=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.}}

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.{{Cite news|last=Nguyen|first=Lananh|date=2021-06-23|title=Morgan Stanley says no vaccine, no entry.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/22/business/morgan-stanley-vaccination-requirement.html|access-date=2021-06-23|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite tweet|number=1407983788064378881|user=ryanmarkparsons|title=Great fun with Andrew Neil on #GBNews.}}

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."{{Cite web|title=Good Morning Britain to launch first ever YouTube original series|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/good-morning-britain-launch-first-ever-youtube-original-series|access-date=2021-10-15|website=Press Centre|language=en}}

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."{{Cite web|date=2022-01-26|title=Why is the cruel and sadistic Celebs Go Dating still on TV?|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/celebs-go-dating-ulrika-jonsson-b2001042.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Independent|language=en}} According to dating agent Anna Williamson, Parsons received the worst score in Celebs Go Dating history and was put on hold from further dates.{{Cite web|last=Sarrubba|first=Stefania|date=2022-02-10|title=Celebs Go Dating puts Ryan-Mark on hold for "toxic" behaviour|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a39039024/celebs-go-dating-ryan-mark-on-hold-toxic-behaviour/|access-date=2022-02-24|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Line-up announced for new celebrity series of Hot Property|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/hot-property-series-3-line-up/|access-date=2025-01-12|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en}}

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.{{Citation |title=THE SAUCIEST & NAUGHTIEST QUESTIONS {{!}} Toby Aromolaran & Ryan-Mark Parsons {{!}} Street Dating S1E5 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhGcH76sjN0 |language=en |access-date=2022-12-19}}

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.{{Cite web |first= |title=Very excited to share my new digital series with @Channel4 very soon.. Produced by the fabulous @LimePictures |url=https://twitter.com/ryanmarkparsons/status/1595884143640207362 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Laurie |first=Dan |date=2022-12-16 |title=Ryan-Mark Parsons says Brighton has 'worst daters' in 'eye-opening' new series |url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/tv/ryan-mark-parsons-says-brighton-28746441 |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=Dailystar.co.uk |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Press {{!}} S4C |url=https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/54618/gemma-collins-gets-a-taste-of-valleys-life/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=www.s4c.cymru}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Michelle |date=2023-03-16 |title=Vanessa Feltz's dumped ex defended as 'a sweet guy' by Apprentice star |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1747051/ryan-mark-parsons-Vanessa-Feltz-Ben-Ofoedu-split-tony-tinas-wedding |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=James |date=2023-04-01 |title=The wedding of the year is back on track. Tony & Tina will tie the knot at the London Olympic Park on April 22 |url=https://luxurynewsonline.com/the-wedding-of-the-year-is-back-on-track-tony-tina-will-tie-the-knot-at-the-london-olympic-park-on-april-22/ |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Luxury News Online |language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-17 |title=Celebs Go Dating star confirms return for explosive new scenes |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a44836514/celebs-go-dating-ryan-mark-parsons-return/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}

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

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.

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

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. Also explaining the fur could be used for "a scarf for example. It could be something someone could wear."{{Cite web|last=Scullard|first=Vickie|date=2020-01-23|title=Ryan-Mark Parsons slammed for suggesting to sell fur from dead koalas|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/apprentice-star-ryan-mark-parsons-17616873|access-date=2020-10-02|website=Manchester Evening News}}

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.{{Cite news|date=2020-06-09|title=Little Britain pulled from iPlayer and Netflix|language=en-GB|work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52983319|access-date=2020-10-02}} 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."{{Cite web|last1=Parsons|first1=Ryan-Mark|last2=Wetherill|first2=Jack|date=2020-10-02|title='Maisie Smith will rescue bland Strictly line-up,' says Apprentice's Ryan-Mark|url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/tv/maisie-smith-rescue-bland-strictly-22776725|access-date=2020-10-02|website=Dailystar.co.uk}}

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."{{Cite web|last=Parsons|first=Ryan-Mark|date=2021-03-08|title='Stop Meghan, the Oscar-worthy performance isn't working' says Ryan-Mark Parsons|url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/give-up-meghan-oscar-worthy-23631456|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Dailystar.co.uk|language=en}}

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.{{Cite web|last=Channon|first=Max|date=2021-06-03|title=Antivaxxers 'have no right to go to pub or restaurants'|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/apprentice-star-ryan-mark-parsons-20730845|access-date=2022-02-24|website=WalesOnline|language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |date=25 January 2024 |title='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? |url=https://twitter.com/GMB/status/1750442463850840535 |website=X (Twitter)}}{{Cite news |date=2024-01-24 |title=Britain must train citizen army, military chief warns |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68086188 |access-date=2024-02-07 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

• The Apprentice: You're Fired! (20 November 2019, 18 December 2019){{Cite web |title=BBC Two - The Apprentice: You're Fired, Series 15, Steam Train |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000bh3q |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}
• Married at First Sight: One Year On (29 August 2022){{Cite web |title=Watch Married at First Sight UK: One Year On {{!}} Stream free on Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/married-at-first-sight-uk-one-year-on |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.channel4.com |language=en}}
• Sunday Morning Live (13 August 2023){{Cite web |title=BBC One - Sunday Morning Live, Series 14, Episode 10 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001pp5d |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}

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".{{Cite web|title=Bromley Christmas lights switch-on goes virtual for 2020 with online festivities|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/18887004.bromley-bid-organise-virtual-christmas-lights-switch-on/|access-date=2021-02-14|website=News Shopper|language=en}}

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.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-28|title=Our newest charity Patron: Ryan-Mark Parsons|url=https://www.gobeyond.org.uk/newest-charity-patron/|access-date=2021-08-04|website=Go Beyond|language=en-GB}}

• Daily Star (2020—2023)
• Daily Express (2024—present)

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://ryanmarkparsons.com}}
• {{IMDb name|11152933}}
• [https://www.dailystar.co.uk/authors/ryan-mark-parsons/ Ryan-Mark Parsons] at Daily Star
• [https://www.express.co.uk/journalist/123554/Ryan-Mark-Parsons Ryan-Mark Parsons] at Daily Express

{{The Apprentice UK|state=autocollapse}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Parsons, Ryan-Mark}}

Category:2000 births

Category:Television personalities from London

Category:Living people

Category:Businesspeople from London

Category:The Apprentice (British TV series) candidates

Category:British columnists

Category:British journalists