Hi both, thanks for the replies. Rudestuff with regards to why I find myself in this situation, I decided to become a career flight instructor and got my FI rating on the back of my PPL (i was way past the hours requirement for both CPL and FI courses so that wasn't a factor). The chance of a decent FI job came up through a personal contact (PPL level instruction) but time was a factor so I elected to get the FI rating first then at least I would be able to start earning and flying professionally. They could not hold the job open for too long long so it was straight onto an FI course then straight to work. My desire to get a CPL is so I can instruct for the CPL as though I'm an FI I'm still interested in career progression .
Through personal problems and some bad choices I find myself in this position so unfortunately it is as it is but I'm not giving up and will resit. I'm working on the slim possibility off getting a test done in the next couple of weeks but it's far from certain.
I have done a bit more digging and it seems resitting may need an ATO but only with regards to "sufficient study" rather than the whole course. I think. Either way I'll do what I need to. My main concern is the expiry of any CPL training hours already completed.
Thanks for the replies,
Kind regards.