Pop Idol star's cancer trauma
The mother of Pop Idol star Mark Rhodes has been diagnosed with lung cancer, he revealed today.
Mark - one half of chart duo Sam and Mark - was devastated when doctors gave his mother Christine the news three weeks ago.
He has hidden the heartache from fans while promoting new single The Sun Has Come Your Way.
Christine, 60, a nurse, supported her son all the way to the Pop Idol final last year.
He is now dividing his time between London and Christine's home town of Wolverhampton, where she is receiving treatment.
Mark, 23, said: "This news that my mum has lung cancer came as quite a shock to the family and obviously we are all upset by the news.
"But she is a very strong lady and we are keeping positive and are hopeful that the chemotherapy treatment she is having at the moment will be successful.
"We are all rallying round and I'm going home as much as I can, so with our love and support we will carry her through this."
Mark, originally from Darlaston in the West Midlands, lost out in the Pop Idol final to Michelle McManus.
He went on to form a duo with fellow finalist Sam Nixon and they topped the charts with their debut single, a cover of the Beatles' With A Little Help From
My Friends. Their latest single was released last week.
