Hidden sorrow of golden boy
Life has never been rosier for Black Country Pop Idol runner-up Mark Rhodes - or so it would seem. Plucked from obscurity thanks to Pop Idol, the local lad who once sang in pub karaoke sessions has been headhunted by the BBC to bring back the glory days of Saturday morning TV.
Mark, who was once a telesales worker at a Darlaston aluminium firm, is to follow in the footsteps of Ant and Dec with fellow Pop Idol hopeful Sam Nixon. But TV's golden boy, who delights thousands of youngsters with his comedy japes, is hiding a heartache that even the brightest of showbiz smiles can't mask. It has been two years since his mother - the woman he cites as his guardian angel and driving force - died of cancer, and he is still coming to terms with the loss.
Chris Rhodes died after a six-month battle with lung cancer in 2004, days after her son's 23rd birthday.
The grief is still raw. Speaking to The Express & Star on the anniversary of her death, Mark said he had been throwing himself into his work to help him through his despair. "I've been feeling down at the minute," he said. "But I know my mum would want me to carry on. She was my driving force, and I know she wanted the best for me.
"It has been difficult but I have been so busy that it's keeping me going and seeing me through."
The former Darlaston Comprehensive pupil has been comforted by other members of his family, even though older sisters Sue and Teresa have been finding this week equally hard.
"My sisters and my father are very upset," he said. "It's been two years, and it is still quite raw. But we're all trying to get on with our lives."
Since Mark finished runner-up on Pop Idol, his on-screen chemistry with Sam and his sunny personality have made him a children's TV favourite.
Weekday breakfast show Level Up was such a hit that he and Sam were handpicked to be the new faces of Saturday morning show TMI - Too Much Information. BBC bosses axed Dick and Dom in da Bungalow and lined up the duo to replace them.
The new programme will feature celebrity guests, competitions and games. BBC bosses hope that it will echo the success of classic shows such as Live and Kicking and Going Live.
Mark reckons the format will make it a winner. "The show is a total new twist on things. The producers put us in a flat together through the week and there are 12 cameras which follow our every move," he said.
"It has been life under the microscope, warts and all, for us. Obviously, they'll only show the funny bits.
"It's all about bringing Saturday mornings back to the kids."
Mark still tries to visit the Black Country as much as possible. "It's difficult because of my schedule. It was my birthday a couple of days ago and I've only just opened my cards. I like to keep busy but I'll never forget my roots in the Black Country," he said.
TMI starts Saturday on BBC1, 9am.
By Fiona McCartney
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