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HUNDREDS of screaming Darius fans thought the Scots heart-throb was incredible yesterday as he signed copies of his new book in Aberdeen.
The 500-strong crowd, mainly of teenage girls, queued for more than five hours to meet the 23-year-old chart-topper for the launch of his autobiography, Sink or Swim, at Ottaker’s book shop in Union Street.
Some had taken the day off to be there.
Eleven-year-old Emma Carter was one fan who made the hour’s journey from Huntly to see him.
And the Drumblade primary School pupil was so overcome with emotion that she burst into tears as she handed him a teddy.
The youngster, who had been queuing from 10am with her mum Margaret, had an orthodonist appointment in Aberdeen in the afternoon, so took the morning off school to see the star, who made her day when he kissed her on the cheek.
Emma said: “I’ve liked him from the start. He is so nice. I like everything about him, and I can’t wait to see him at Free at the Dee.”
The youngest fan to be kissed by the Glasgow-born star, however, was four-month-old Michelle Cockburn, whose mum Marlene is also a huge fan.
The Glaswegian heart-throb also kissed shy, nine-year-old Stephanie Bruce. The youngster suffers from a muscle disorder so she was allowed to meet her idol first, along with her twin brother Alexander, who had his jumper signed.
Jemma Johnston, 16, and her friend Tara Hepburn, 15, from Aberdeen, were also at the head of the queue.
Jemma said: “We wanted to make sure that we got to meet him so we were queuing from 7am.
“He is such a really nice person and is very talented – and good looking.”
Their friend Adele Stott, 17, joined them around 9am.
She said: “I love Darius. He has been through a lot and has worked his way up, which I think is something to be admired.”
Sarah Hepburn, 25, also queued for hours to see him and she even runs a fans’ website called dariusdisciples.co.uk
She said: “Our website has had 5,000 in a year, and all the fan sites share information. It is a really good community to be part of.”
Melissa Chawner, 20, said she was a massive fan of the former Pop Idol contestant.
“I’ve been to all his concerts in Glasgow and it’s great that he has come to Aberdeen,” she said.
“I’ve read a bit of his book, and you can really relate to him. He has shown that you can come through certain circumstances and you can make it.
“I only wish he would write a song for me now,” she added.
Darius made his big break after his success in the first series of Pop Idol.
However, yesterday he said he could not quite believe how far he had come since then.
Darius said: “I am really overwhelmed and so taken aback by the Scottish support. It’s unbelievable how many people have turned up.
“This has been an amazing way to kick off the week with the book tour and to have such a fantastic response.
“It has put me on a high for the rest of the week.
“Now, I can’t wait for the weekend. I had a great time at Free at the Dee last year. Everyone is just amazing, and it will be fun to be back on the stage with my band, and hopefully, we will get good weather.” Darius who has enjoyed success with hits Colourblind, Rushes and Incredible, will join Girls Aloud, Liberty X, David Sneddon, Hue and Cry, Abs, Lisa Scott-Lee and Dr and the Medics at Duthie Park on Sunday, at Free at the Dee.
Excited Darius fans queued through Ottakers Bookstore right into the shopping centre as they awaited the arrival of their Pop Idol.
The twenty three year old star, who shot to fame following the ITV talent programme, was coming to Aberdeen to sign copies of his new autobiography.
Hundreds of North-east fans have been patiently waiting to meet Darius and they've been here for hours.
The singer was due to arrive at the bookshop just after midday but people began queuing as early as seven o'clock this morning.
With only a few minutes to go the tension was growing and eventually the very tall, dark and handsome Darius emerged to a ferocious cheer of screaming fans.
His book's all about the nitty gritty behind programmes like Popstars and Pop Idol, nasty Nigel and Simon Cowell.
He's already had three top ten singles and his first album has just gone platinum.
And today he made a lot of peoples dreams come true, not only did he sign his book some were lucky enough to have their's sealed with a kiss.
You could tell from the screams that there was something more exciting than frozen peas in the supermarket...
But, from the number of excited young females, you'd probably never have guessed that it was... a book signing.
Pop star - and now author - Darius Danesh entered Asda at West Bridgford more than half an hour late yesterday.
Unexpectedly appearing from a side entrance under the sign "Customer Toilets", he apologised to fans.
"I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting, we were caught in traffic... thanks all of you very much for coming," he said.
Dressed in baseball cap, jeans and tracksuit top, with a Beatles belt buckle, his look was more Justin Timberlake-like than usual.
Around 300 people had stood in line at the store for a moment with the man who defied failure on TV's Popstars and Pop Idol to become a pop star anyway.
In the background, his model girlfriend Jacqui Ainsley waited while he kissed lots of other girls, most of them pre-GCSE age.
All of them were clutching copies of his new autobiography Sink or Swim.
Charting the ups and downs of the 23 years of Darius's life so far, the last page shows his moodily silhouetted figure alongside a quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Holly Smith and Bridie Towle, both 14, from Bingham, got to the store at 7am, putting them at the head of the queue for an event billed for noon.
"We've been here for five hours but he's worth it," said Holly.
"We like everything about him!" said Bridie.
Mum Vicki Hallam, 32, from Colwick, had brought her daughter Amy, 11, and her friend Elena.
"We're very big fans, he's gorgeous and he can sing really well," said Vicki.
"We've been reading the book while we're queuing and it looks good."
Another fan, who declined to be named, just said: "I admire his determination."
Two teenage girls at the back of the line stood firm despite the rain.
"We don't know how long it will take, but he's worth it," said one.
However, as they fought to push their trolleys through the onlookers, some shoppers looked distinctly underwhelmed.
"Is he a boxer?" said one man passing by.
"He's in his 20s and he's written an autobiography? What's he got to say for himself?" said a pair of disapproving ladies.
Two young men approached the various members of the media to check it was who they thought it was.
"I told you!" said one.
"Darius - what a joke," said his mate.
Luckily, they were out of the earshot of lots of very, very eager fans.
POP heart-throb Darius Danesh sent pulses racing in Leeds as he signed copies of his new autobiography.
The chart-topping star was at Borders on Briggate as part of a nationwide tour to publicise his new book Sink Or Swim.
Darius told the Yorkshire Evening Post that the autobiography was a "warts and all" account of the Pop Idol experience which helped make his name.
He defied the critics who wrote him off by carving out a career after his infamous rendition of Britney Spears track Baby One More Time.
"My book is a reality check on reality TV," said Darius. "It's a behind the scenes look at what happened on Pop Idol. So if you want to know the inside story on Simon Cowell or Rick Waller then this is the book for you."
The stop off was the singer's fourth visit to Leeds in less than a year: "It's becoming a second home for me," he laughed. "It's a wicked city. I love coming here I always know I'm going to get a good reception."
And he revealed he had been writing and recording his second album in the US: "It is my best work," he said. "I am hoping it will be coming out in November."
Heading the 200-strong queue were five friends who met through the chart star's fan club website.
They included Katie Marsden from Bingley who waited for four hours to be first in line to meet her hero.
The 17-year-old college student summed up the appeal of her idol: "He can sing and write his own songs and prefers to perform live rather than mime.
"People think I am mad but following Darius is an addiction. And it's a lot healthier than taking drugs."
Pop idol Darius Danesh has revealed his ambition is to step into the shoes of Scot's Hollywood legend Sean Connery- and become the next James Bond.
Darius 22, (tut tut!), returned to Glasgow last night to sign copies of his new autobiography, Sink or swim for 1,000 fans, and revealed the role of the world's best known super smooth spy is one he would kill for.
The hunky crooner even offered to "become the first James Bond in a kilt"- but admitted that he reckons Star Wars and Moulin Rouge actor Ewan Mcgregor would probably be in front of him in the 007 queue!
The Scots heart-throb was in the Granite City to sign copies of his new book Sink Or Swim.
And his fans turned out in their droves for a glimpse of the Pop Idol runner-up.
Scores of fans young and old alike queued at Ottakar's bookshop in the Trinity Centre on Union Street for their chance to meet Darius.
One of the first in the queue was 16-year-old Jemma Johnston who queued from 7am with her friend Tara Hepburn, 15.
Jemma, who described herself as "Darius obsessed" took the day off school to meet her hero.
The Bridge of Don Academy pupil said: "I've been here since 7am but it'll be well worth it."
But the lucky youngster getting to meet her idol first was Stephanie Bruce, from Gordon Place, Bridge of Don.
The nine-year-old, who suffers from a rare muscular disability, has been desperate to meet Darius.
Her mum Linda took Stephanie and her twin brother, Alexander to the store.
Another fan at the front was Zarah-Louise Smith, who wrote to the Evening Express to say how unfair it was that Darius was visiting during school hours.
And it certainly paid off when Ottakar's offered Zarah-Louise a place near the front of the queue.
The Northfield Academy pupil said: "All my friends took the mickey out of me for writing to the Evening Express but I'm so glad I did."
Darius Danesh, one of the stars of the TV programme Pop idol, has revealed his ambition is to become the next James Bond.
The 22-year-old singer spoke of his dream role as he returned to Glasgow to sign copies of his autobiography, Sink or Swim.
Darius admitted: "Acting really excites me and I can think of no better role to play than James Bond.
"Sean Connery was the perfect 007 and I would love to be the next Scot that plays the part.
"I would even try to make sure I would become the first James Bond in a kilt."
Claire Mullen, 16, from Darius' home town of Bearsden, was among the 1000 people at the book signing session in Argyle Street.
She said: "He's gorgeous." Darius Danesh, one of the stars of the TV programme Pop idol, has revealed his ambition is to become the next James Bond.
The 22-year-old singer spoke of his dream role as he returned to Glasgow to sign copies of his autobiography, Sink or Swim.
Darius admitted: "Acting really excites me and I can think of no better role to play than James Bond.
"Sean Connery was the perfect 007 and I would love to be the next Scot that plays the part.
"I would even try to make sure I would become the first James Bond in a kilt."
Claire Mullen, 16, from Darius' home town of Bearsden, was among the 1000 people at the book signing session in Argyle Street.
She said: "He's gorgeous."
SCOTS hunk Darius Danesh says he is to blame for all the weirdos and tone- deaf singers on this year's Pop Idol.
Darius was mobbed by around 1000 fans when he arrived at WH Smith in Glasgow's Argyle Street yesterday to launch his autobiography, Sink Or Swim.
On Monday he spoke with Kate Thornton, who presents the ITV2 part of the talent show.
Darius, who was with girlfriend Jacqui Ainsley, said: "I couldn't believe the Eye Of The Tiger guy Warren Wald. I couldn't believe he was for real. He had that mono brow and out-of-pitch voice. But Kate told me that people like him were coming to the audition thinking they can sing.
"They get knocked back and come out of the room ranting to her and quoting me and saying `I did it because Darius showed if you believed in yourself you can succeed.'
I suppose the phrase now for anyone who is knocked back and gives it another go is `doing a Darius'.
"So I apologise for any damage to the nation's eardrums."
Darius became the UK's biggest hate figure after Popstars, but bounced back and came third to Will Young and Gareth Gates in the first Pop Idol two years ago.
This year there has been an increase in tuneless wonders including Warren, Daniel Webster, who tried to sing Tainted Love, and Chris Neville-Smith, who murdered Great Balls Of Fire.
Darius added: "I've been watching it all. And I think a lot of people this time are doing it just to get on television. There are so many who really can't sing but who think they are actually fantastic."
Darius - 23 last week - is doing a mammoth tour to promote his book, which will be released on Monday. And one of the first people he sent a copy to was Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell.
Darius said: "I have the highest respect for Simon and whatever people might think about me not taking his record deal after the first Pop Idol, it wasn't a reflection on him. He's one of the most astute men in the music industry."
Darius admits he loves being an author as well as a songwriter.
He said: "I studied English at Edinburgh University and have always harboured a secret desire to write a novel."
The singer will be at Free At The Dee in Aberdeen this Sunday with acts including Girls Aloud, David Sneddon and Liberty X.
Darius will appear at Ottakar's in Aberdeen at 12.30pm today, then at their Edinburgh branch at 6pm.
POP star Darius wants to play James Bond in a kilt.
The 23-year-old Pop Idol revealed his ambition to follow Sean Connery as a Scots 007 as he visited Glasgow to sign copies of his autobiography.
But the only spying going on yesterday seemed to be from the heart-throb's model girlfriend, Jacqui Ainsley.
As Darius met about 1000 screaming fans, she was kept busy filming the scenes with a video camera.
The fans had waited for hours at the WH Smith store in Argyle Street to meet Darius, who first flopped on PopStars and Pop Idol before making it big on his own.
The 6ft2in star, from Bearsden, near Glasgow, has just made an appearance on the soap Hollyoaks.
He revealed that has made him keen to do more acting and his big ambition is to follow Connery.
He said: "Acting really excites me and I could think of no better a role to play than James Bond.
"I think Sean Connery was the perfect James Bond and I would really love to be the next Scot that plays the part. But I think Ewan McGregor would be in front of me in the queue."
Darius met girlfriend Jacqui when she appeared in the video of his No1 single Colourblind.
He said: "I'm really enjoying being in a relationship. I'm definitely a one- girl man."
Meanwhile, his autobiography, Sink or Swim, is released on Monday.
Darius said: "I did English at Edinburgh University and have always had a secret desire to be an author. It's a dream come true."
Pop idol Darius kicked off the first leg a new tour - but the venue is a Glasgow book store. A year after storming the charts with hit singles and a number one album, the Scottish star has released his autobiography Sink or swim.
The story of his success so far promises to reveal 'the true Darius'.
Asked if it was a little bit early in his career to be releasing an autobiography, Darius said: "It would be if it was an autobiography. But it's not. It's a story behind the reality of reality TV. And I'm very lucky that I was part of Popstars and Pop idol. And since then, going platinum and Colourblind going number one, it's been a brilliant year. It's been an incredible three years and I'm very lucky. This is my story."
As for how his life has changed in recent years...
"It's changed tremendously, I went from being an Edinburgh student studying English lit to being a household name but for all the wrong reasons. And soon after pop stars my life changed dramatically, now fortunately my life changed when I wrote a song called Colourblind and I realised that I wanted the public to hear me as a singer/songwriter. Although the judges never heard that song, a year after I stood in the SECC auditions and wanted to sing that song. Perform to public and Colourblind would be number one."
He added: "I'm writing a new album right now. After the tour, I finished the book and then after the book tour I'm going back to the studio to finish that off. Album is out in November so catch the new single on the radio!"
A teenager was given the best tonic ever as she recovered in acityhospitalfrom major surgery when her pop idol Darius appeared at her bedside!
Brave Charlie Newman, who is 17 today, could hardly believe her eyes when her favourite singer made a surprise visit to her at the Diana, Princess of Wales Children’s Hospital.
The Scottish star had taken a few minutes out from performing in Birmingham to visit his biggest fan after hearing of her battle with a brain tumour.
Charlie’s cousin Karl Brazil, of Sheldon, is Darius’s drummer and had been a regular visitor to Charlie, a pupil at Blythe School, Coleshill, who lives in Minworth with her mum and dad, Kay and Paul and her 13-year-old brother Ben.
Karl, aged 25, said: “We were performing two sets for the National Lottery Fun Fest in Victoria Square and I mentioned to the band I was going to pop over to the hospital to check on Charlie.
“The next thing I knew Darius and the other guys (Stephen Morgan andSpencerHorton)said they wanted to come too.
“To see the smile on Charlie’s face when we got there made it all worthwhile. She was thrilled.”
Charlie’s mum Kay said: “When Darius arrived unannounced at the hospital it was the best medicine ever.
“She is now back home and we are convinced his visit has given her a real spark.
“She has always been a Darius fan and has all the posters and CDs. He is gorgeous - I can under-stand what she sees in him!”
"Weekend birthday star is Darius Danesh, born on August 19, 1980, under proud as a peacock Leo.
He has a slightly tricky Mercury aspect which can bring words before thoughts sometimes, yet Darius has a special mission in life involving teaching, healing and communications.
I think he will change direction this autumn, and glitter in a new role next year."