Pop Idol pair team up with Motown legend

A pair of Pop Idol rejects are to team up with Motown legend Edwin Starr after landing a record deal.

Helen Farrar and Rachel Makins made it through to the final 50 in ITV1's talent hunt.

Now they have been signed up by independent label A&R Records to work on an album together, as well as the single with War hit-maker Starr.

Viewers will remember Farrar, from Luton, Bedfordshire, for disclosing that she had nipple piercings she called Frederick and Roger, while Makins, from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, had a lucky green frog umbrella during the heats.

David Harris of the label said: "Rachel and Helen are currently recording the CD single which features Edwin and all three of them are quite inseparable - the girls still can't believe that they are working with a Motown legend.

"After I met Rachel and Helen, I knew there was a potential top 10 hit waiting for them, now's its our job to turn their dream into reality."

Makins was reduced to tears on Pop Idol by Simon Cowell's comments, while Farrar was advised to go for a cabaret career.

Makins said: "I've been given a second chance to become a pop star and this really is a dream come true for us. I don't think we really expected to go further after we left Pop Idol's final 50 because we took the judges comments at face value."

Another Pop Idol reject gets to try her hand at TV presenting this week as ITV1's This Morning runs a week of half-hour specials dedicated to the show.

Hayley Evetts made it to the final 10 in the contest and will team up with John Leslie and Fern Britton to host the daily extension to the programme. The slot will feature behind the scenes footage from Pop Idol and interviews with some of the contestants. They will also perform as Leslie accompanies them on the piano.