OUR STORY
With hundreds of hours of live TV under their belts, it’s no wonder that Sam Nixon & Mark Rhodes are being hailed as two of the UK’s hottest TV presenters right now.
Such was the excitement surrounding their most recent show, ‘Comic Relief Does Glee Club’ that the Queen of Mean herself, Anne Robinson was ousted from her regular BBC1 slot in the week leading up to Red Nose Day. The live 45 minute all-singing-all-dancing search for the UK’s best Glee Club had a bit of everything; a panel of judges, laughter & tears from the contestants, tense results from the phone votes, moving films from a recent trip to Tanzania where Sam & Mark witnessed first hand how Comic Relief money is spent plus performances from some of the biggest pop acts around, all presented with the mix of warmth and chemistry that make the boys impossible to ignore.
They’ve come a long way since Pop Idol, the show where they first met back in 2003, coming 3rd and 2nd respectively. It was whilst filming backstage VT’s that their friendship began, and the dynamic between Sam & Mark was noticed. So when both missed out on the Pop Idol crown they were quickly paired off and the rest, as they say, is history!
A number one single followed, but it was as TV presenters that the duo was to really find their feet. After a guest appearance on Top Of The Pops Saturday, they were asked to provide holiday cover for then presenter Fearne Cotton. Thrown in to the deep end of live Saturday morning TV, the pair thrived on the adrenalin. Such a hit with producers and the audience alike, Top Of The Pops Saturday soon became Top Of The Pops Reloaded with Fearne and the boys at the helm. In 2006, Sam & Mark went on to present TMi, which was to become a Saturday morning ritual for both children and adults. With special guests, sketches and games, TMi packed in to one live show what some shows pack in to a series. A total of 5 series was commissioned, and if the boys hadn’t decided to end on a high at the end of last year, it would probably be going for 5 more!
As well as TMi, Sam & Mark have fronted a host of shows which have earned them the title of Number One Rated Children’s TV Presenters (Broadcast Magazine 2009) for ‘Who Wants To Be A Superhero?’ And a BAFTA Award for ‘Level Up’, a live breakfast magazine show broadcast every day (over 126 episodes of that series alone!). Skate Nation’, ‘Jump Nation’ and family quiz show ‘Copycats’, demonstrated just how easily Sam & Mark can make the transition from fun, fast paced and live, to shiny floor, tension filled formatted shows. Oh, and live – did we mention live? These two thrive when live…
September 2011 sees the boys host a brand new entertainment show for CBBC called “Sam & Mark’s Big Friday Wind Up”. At the heart of the show is the ultimate money-cant buy prize: the chance to ‘Win The Presenter’ – either Sam or Mark. Two families will compete for this unique opportunity each week but with one big twist – they won’t know anything about it until the show starts! Featuring celebrity appearances, regular live musical performances and a host of sketches and games, Big Friday Wind Up is set to be a huge hit with families.
In addition to fronting their own shows, Sam & Mark can be found on ITV1’s This Morning on a regular basis where they are very much a part of the family, fronting various items, from their “TV Treats”, to reviewing the best gadgets on the High Street, the boys have the right mix of personality and likeability that makes them a hit with all ages.
Appearances on programmes such as Big Brothers Little Brother, Xtra Factor & Celebrity Juice and contestants on Celebrity Total Wipeout and Let’s Dance For Sport Relief also go to demonstrate the broad appeal that Sam & Mark have.
And it’s not just on television that the pair have made a name for themselves, their weekly radio show every Sunday on BRMB, Beacon, Wyvern, Mercia & GEM 106 across the Midlands has just earned them a nomination at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards for Best Newcomer(s).
As well as big personalities, Sam & Mark also have big hearts. Having raised
thousands of pounds and just as importantly, awareness for Whizz-Kidz, a charity that Mark in particular has a personal connection with, last month the boys were asked to be the first official patrons of the charity.
As one journalist stated recently, “with their infectious personalities, it’s easy to see why the nation is falling in love with Sam & Mark, they are definitely ones to watch”.
Sam & Mark are:
Sam Nixon – 25 years old and from Barnsley
Mark Rhodes – 30 years old from Wolverhampton