THEIR STORY

Sam & Mark Biography

From Pop Idol finalists to Number One rated children’s TV presenters (for Who Wants To Be A Superhero? - Broadcast Magazine 16 January 2009), BAFTA nominated Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes have come a long way since entering the second series of the show that paved the way for many of the current wave of talent competitions.

Whilst they were friends during the months of auditions and studio shows, they were of course competing against each other, eventually coming third and second respectively in December 2003.  They had a Number 1 single in February 2004, but these days combine their talents in the world of presenting.

The change of career began when they were asked to stand in for Fearne Cotton and present Top Of The Pops Saturday way back in the summer of 2004.  They never looked back and all three continued to present the show that eventually became Top Of The Pops Reloaded, and was BBC1’s Saturday morning ritual for millions of kids and teenagers. 

This change of career path has proved fruitful and since seen them present the following shows for the BBC.

Level Up  (2006) - a live, daily interactive magazine show that explored the opportunities faced by kids growing up.  This multi platform show brought children together from all over the UK, to air their views, and proved to be so popular it earned them a Children’s BAFTA Award.

Do Something Different (2007) - Sam & Mark trying to get 1 million kids to try out something completely new.  Whether it be learning to cook, DJ, master a musical instrument or take up a new sport – the aim is to ‘do something different’.

Sam & Mark’s Guide To Dodging Disaster (2008) - a light hearted series looking at how to survive some of the most dangerous situations.  Live action, archive and blue screen filmed VT’s see Sam & Mark pitted against the most deadly and dangerous creations past and present! Mission is - to survive!

Who Wants To Be A Superhero? (2009) - A reality show where children aged 9 - 13 create and become their own unique superhero, competing against each other for a grand prize; the chance to travel to Los Angeles to meet Stan Lee (American comic book writer / creator) and see their character come to life in their own comic book script.

Skate Nation (July 2009) - Sam & Mark presented ‘Skate Nation’ a fast-paced 11 part series for CBBC. Rollerskaters and inline skaters alike who had to have amazing levels of agility, fitness and talent to make it through the initial trials. Sam & Mark were behind the scenes with the competitors at Skate Camp and then hosted the Skate Stadium shows where finalists needed to wow both judges and the stadiums live audience. The competition was fierce, as the grand prize was a trip to the World Games in Taiwan to see the world’s best skaters in action.

TMi (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) - The hugely popular Saturday morning TV show is now in it‘s 4th series and comprises music, competitions, cartoons, drama series, spoofs, challenges and studio guests.

Coming up in 2010;

Copycats  Sam & Mark return with a new series of “Copycats” made by BBC Scotland.  A variety of fun filled tasks pit two families against each other, challenging their ability to pass on information in various guises!  Family honour is at stake as the teams battle it out to win fantastic prizes.

Jump Nation (January 2010) - Follows a similar pattern to Skate Nation, but this time teams’ of family and friends battle it out with the newest US craze - Jump Rope.  The winning team jet off to the States to spend a week at an American Jump Rope Camp and report back for CBBC.

Sam & Mark are:

Sam Nixon  - 24 years old and from Barnsley
Mark Rhodes - 28 years old from Wolverhampton