The Stink Before Christmas by Sam Nixon (author), Mark Rhodes (author), and Tom Knight (illustrator)

With infectious personalities and hundreds of hours of live TV under their belts, Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes are an incredibly exciting duo. The pair have come a long way since Pop Idol in 2003, coming 2nd and 3rd respectively. It was whilst filming backstage VT’s that their friendship began, and the dynamic between Sam & Mark was noticed.

Since 2011 the boys have hosted the hugely popular entertainment show Sam & Mark’s Big Friday Wind Up for CBBC. Filmed in front of a studio audience the show features hidden camera ‘Wind Up’ sketches, games, celebrity appearances, and regular live musical performances. Big Friday Wind Up has proved to be a big hit with families and the boys were delighted to scoop their first Children’s BAFTA in the Presenter category for this show.

Other credits include presenting Top Of The Pops Reloaded with Fearne Cotton, TMi a Saturday morning ritual for both children and adults which ran for five series, family quiz show Copycats, Skate Nation, Jump Nation, The Great Christmas Toy Giveaway with Myleene Klass for Channel 5, Sport Relief Does Glee Club on CBBC/BBC, which won Best Children’s Programme at the BAFTA Scotland Awards.

With a wealth of presenting credits, it’s little wonder that they went on to earn 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. As one journalist stated: “it’s easy to see why the nation are falling in love with Sam & Mark, they are definitely ones to watch”.

As well as presenting, Sam and Mark have also made appearances on Big Brothers Little Brother, The Xtra Factor, Pressure Pad, Ultimate Brain, My Dog Ate My Homework, Celebrity Juice, This Morning and were contestants on Celebrity Total Wipeout, Let’s Dance For Sport Relief and Dancing On Ice.

As well as television, the pair have made a name for themselves through their weekly live radio show which broadcasts live every Sunday on Free Radio across the West Midlands. This earned them a nomination at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards for Best Newcomer(s).

With experience of presenting, corporate hosting and live events, Sam & Mark are also heavily involved with various charities. They have raised thousands of pounds, and just as importantly, awareness for Whizz-Kidz, a charity that Mark in particular has a personal connection with. The boys were delighted to become the first official patrons of the charity.

The Adventures of Long Arm is their first of two books published by Scholastic.

With infectious personalities and hundreds of hours of live TV under their belts, Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes are an incredibly exciting duo. The pair have come a long way since Pop Idol in 2003, coming 2nd and 3rd respectively. It was whilst filming backstage VT’s that their friendship began, and the dynamic between Sam & Mark was noticed.

Since 2011 the boys have hosted the hugely popular entertainment show Sam & Mark’s Big Friday Wind Up for CBBC. Filmed in front of a studio audience the show features hidden camera ‘Wind Up’ sketches, games, celebrity appearances, and regular live musical performances. Big Friday Wind Up has proved to be a big hit with families and the boys were delighted to scoop their first Children’s BAFTA in the Presenter category for this show.

Other credits include presenting Top Of The Pops Reloaded with Fearne Cotton, TMi a Saturday morning ritual for both children and adults which ran for five series, family quiz show Copycats, Skate Nation, Jump Nation, The Great Christmas Toy Giveaway with Myleene Klass for Channel 5, Sport Relief Does Glee Club on CBBC/BBC, which won Best Children’s Programme at the BAFTA Scotland Awards.

With a wealth of presenting credits, it’s little wonder that they went on to earn 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. As one journalist stated: “it’s easy to see why the nation are falling in love with Sam & Mark, they are definitely ones to watch”.

As well as presenting, Sam and Mark have also made appearances on Big Brothers Little Brother, The Xtra Factor, Pressure Pad, Ultimate Brain, My Dog Ate My Homework, Celebrity Juice, This Morning and were contestants on Celebrity Total Wipeout, Let’s Dance For Sport Relief and Dancing On Ice.

As well as television, the pair have made a name for themselves through their weekly live radio show which broadcasts live every Sunday on Free Radio across the West Midlands. This earned them a nomination at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards for Best Newcomer(s).

With experience of presenting, corporate hosting and live events, Sam & Mark are also heavily involved with various charities. They have raised thousands of pounds, and just as importantly, awareness for Whizz-Kidz, a charity that Mark in particular has a personal connection with. The boys were delighted to become the first official patrons of the charity.

The Adventures of Long Arm is their first of two books published by Scholastic.