Mark Rhodes in homecoming Wolverhampton gig with sidekick Sam Nixon
Pop Idol star Mark Rhodes took to the stage for a fundraising Black Country homecoming gig alongside his TV presenting sidekick Sam Nixon.
The Darlaston-born performer belted out a mix of classic pop and rock tunes to entertain the crowds at Bilston's Robin 2 venue.
The concert was staged to raise money for the Whizz-Kidz charity, which is close to Mark's heart.
Sam and Mark have supported Whizz-Kidz since the 2009 death of Mark's 19-year-old nephew, Tom Robbins, who suffered from spinal muscular atrophy.
Mark, who rose to fame on TV singing talent show Pop Idol in 2003, said: "The work that Whizz-Kidz does is incredible and we both feel very proud to be patrons of the charity.
"The kids they help all have a physical disability and I think we take for granted how lucky we are to be able to do things like walking about."
More than 100 people braved the Arctic conditions to get a glimpse of the duo and the TMI band perform last night.
Scores of people danced along as Sam, Mark and the band belted out songs such as Kings of Leon's Use Somebody, Maroon 5's This Love and Three Dog Night's Mama Told Me Not To Come.
The night also included an acoustic set from Sam, who played a range of songs including Ed Sheeran's Give Me Love and Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On.
The pair rose to fame on the 2003 series of Pop Idol.
