"Shock, horror: I actually quite like Sam & Mark. I know that's not a particularly 'cool' thing to say and that a lot of Popjustice peeps might not like them, but the same can probably be said for liking V and they're amazing. Here are ten reasons Sam & Mark aren't as bad as you think they are.

1. All good things come with 'and's, eg Kylie AND Jason, Johnny AND Denise, Posh AND Becks, Blood Sweat AND Tears. I think the world was ready for another AND - Sam & Mark have filled that desperate void.
2. Loathe it or loathe it, 'With A Little Help From My Friends' did get to Number One and that should be applauded. In fact, in some way shouldn't all Number Ones be given some sort of credit? Yes, even shit ones like 'Mad World' by the man with the hat.

3. On Pop Idol, in the first week of the final twelve, Sam performed a song which I don't remember the title of. It started off with the line "Looking back, over my shoulder". The judges slagged it - I loved it. It has lodged its way into my head and is now one of few songs I always sing in the bath. Which must be an indicator of a good song. The last song to do that was 'Adrienne' by The Calling. Classic.
4. Mark goes out with Zoe Birkett from Pop Idol 1, who is great. And of all the Big Band performances I've seen from episodes around the world hers is still the best. Yes! Even better than Ginger Bloke from American Idol 3.
5. Admittedly, 'The Sun Has Come Your Way' wasn't that amazing, but the lads will tell you that themselves, and popstars who admit they've made crap records are a good thing. Maybe Javine 'But I'm Number One in Japan' Hylton should try it.
6. Oh, and 'The Sun Has Come Your Way' did have a nice b-side called 'These Days'. It was an acoustic guitar-led ballad. And we all know that you can't go wrong with those.
7. Sam has nice blonde highlights. And we all know you can't go wrong with those.
8. When Sam speaks he sounds more like Avid Merrion doing Craig David than Avid Merrion does when he does Craig David.
9. He can also sound like Avid Merrion when he does Mel B, although that's not actually his normal voice. Obviously.
10. Finally, the most important reason, and the reason I wanted to write about them this week in the first place: after watching TOTP Saturday last week it occurred to me that Sam And Mark actually are very funny guys. They have a chemistry and they do work as TV presenters. The new Ant AND Dec? Very likely indeed, I would say.

So, a long overdue big up to Sam and Mark. Now where's that fiver, lads? (PS: Yes, I know Sam got more reasons than Mark, and that Mark's only one was a lame 'fact' to do with his girlfriends, but that's where Sam's highlights have paid off.)"

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