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You did us proud, Mark
Dec 22 2003
By Simon Hardy, Evening Mail
Midland singing hero Mark Rhodes may have been pipped at the Pop Idol post but there will still be some cold beers waiting for him at the Darlaston pub where his rise to stardom began.
Julie Cox, landlady of the Nag's Head, said Mark (pictured) had done the town proud and he was still the locals' number one.
She said: "Everyone's very proud of him. I think he will still go on to be a really big star."
The Nag's Head, at The Green, was bedecked with banners and posters backing Mark as around customers crowded round the pub TV on Saturday night to cheer him on in the final.
Julie said there was a carnival atmosphere and it came as a hammer blow when controversial Michelle Mcmanus was named the winner.
Mark only made his live debut this summer after his aunt and uncle persuaded Julie to let him take to the stage at the pub and get some practice at performing before an audience.
He had previously handed her a CD of his work after waiting outside the pub to make sure of meeting her when she returned after an outing.
Mark proved such a hit he was booked for the next live session in August and he even got some more practice in after getting into the final 50 in Pop Idol.
Uncle and aunt Mick and Julie Coley already had a Christmas holiday abroad booked and so had mixed feelings when Mark made it to the final.
They were devastated at not being able to join fellow regulars for the party on Saturday but managed to find a bar which was screening the final in the Spanish resort where they are currently staying.
Landlady Julie said: "They were fed up at missing the final. We sent them text messages afterwards but I know they will be devastated."
