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Mark was the cute one, the one that was showered with chocolates and teddy bears and awards for 'sexiest male' and 'best haircut' at award ceremonies. His loveable smile and honest ways made him the most popular Thatter of all with the biggest fan base.
He grew up in a catholic family in Oldham, Greater Manchester in the North of England, where he attended The Holy Rosary Junior school. At the age of 11 Marke then moved on to St. Ausgustines Catholic School. At home, he shared a room with his brother Daniel, and sister Tracey in a small council house that could quite easily be part of the UK's famous Manchester-based soap opera 'Coronation Street'.
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In his younger years, Mark could usually be found playing football and impersonating Elvis Presley, his idol. Mark fondly tells a story of the time he broke a window at the back of the house whilst playing football in the back alley. Afraid of what his parents would say, he trotted off to buy a new pane of glass - when his parents found him. he was covered in blood from the cuts he had got from trying to replace the window! That alley way has now become a shrine to Mark fans, who tour Manchester and leave messages on the wall despite the fact that Mark and his parents no longer live there. The bleach is still evident where his mum had tried to clean it off before she left! |
It was around this time he also had a trial out with Huddersfield Town, Manchester United and Rochdale football clubs, but he damaged his groin and was unable to continue.
To earn some extra money, Mark started work at Strawberry Studios, as teaboy during the weekends. He became good friends with one of the singers working on some demo tapes and it is from this point that Mark's life began to change.
That singer was Gary Barlow! Mark and Gary joined forces to form a band called The Cutest Rush. Gary was in touch with local Talent Agent, Nigel Martin-Smith and it wasn't long before the idea of recruiting two other members to form a 'boy band' began to take form.
| Jason and Howard had strolled into Nigel's office one day looking for management for their new 'dance act' only to be confronted by Nigel's suggestion they join together with Mark and Gary. That leaves only one person in Mark's life to yet appear, Robbie. Rob's mum saw an advert in a local newspaper from Nigel searching for the final member of the band and applied on Robbie's behalf. Robbie was the last of the Thatter's to enter Mark's life and the person with whom he would form a good friendship. |
During his Take That days, Mark was never really interested in writing songs for the band. However, since the split he has become a talented artist in his own right. His first two singles Child and Clementine both reached number 3. After that things were quiet for a couple of years on the music front.
However, Mark was still out and about on the football pitch, playing in the annual charity event Soccer Six or occasionally making an appearance on TV in programmes such as Mind the Buzzcocks. In 2000 he made a series called Celebrity Scooters for BBC Choice (now BBC 3), in which he travelled through Belgium and Holland during Euro 2000, a football championship.
In November 2002, Mark participated in Celebrity Big Brother, coming out the Winner by a mile. He has since signed a new record deal with Island/Universal and a first single is expected August 2003, with an album to follow shortly after.
Mark lives in the Lake District, and is very happy with his girlfriend Chloe. A Tour is also on the cards, hopefully for sometime at the end of 2003. Mark seems to be settled and happy with his life and much more content 'doing his own thing'.