Reviews
Kinda Love
Rushes
Incredible
Girl In the Moon
Dive In
The Dive In Tour
Sink or Swim
Kinda Love
Live Twice
Jacqui Ainsley's boyfriend is the straight-laced pop star Darius Danesh, who she gushingly describes as a 'real gentleman' and 'very traditional'. So goodness knows what he made of his model girlfriend's risque role in the most recent James Bond film, Die another Day.
Ainsley played the dancing Fire Woman, who paraded through the opening credits of the film with flames around her naked body. She wore nothing but a glued-on triangle of flesh-coloured lycra called a 'modesty patch', and ultraviolet body paint. 'As soon as I came down in my modesty patch, the crew tripled,' she says.
Apparently, her boyfriend wasn't too bothered by her on-set antics - 'I think he trusts my judgement' - And she was over the moon when her father called to say he was going to watch the film at the cinema.
Ainsley also starred in the video for Darius's number-one single, Colourblind, and has appeared in a host of television advertisements, including ones for Samsung, Sunsilk and Elle Macpherson's lingerie range. Not bade for a 22 year old.
Models can be surprisingly plain in the flesh but ainsley is striking in a girl-next-door way. Thick, glossy blonde hair cascades halfway down her back and her teeth are whiter than white. She stands 5'9" tall, with legs that go on forever, and has a honey-brown tan from five days working in Cuba.
Ainsley is good fodder for the tabloids, especially when she's with her boyfriend. Most of her newspaper appearances have been photographs with Darius - whom she calles 'D' - at parties and premieres.
They do everything together including visiting the gym and rollerblading in Hyde Park. They even dress for premieres and parties in colour-coordinated outfits.
Darius is as famous for his self-important performances in Popstars as for his comeback in Pop Idol and his platinum-selling debut album. However, Ainsley defends him to the last.
'When I watched Popstars and he was reciting poetry, playing his guitar and doing his a capella version of Britney Spear's Baby One more Time, I thought that he was just showing how intelligent and talented he was'' she says. 'And then people said he was cheesy.'
She shakes her head. 'Anyway, I don't think that he regrets anything, because he got to meet Britney. And she thought is version was fantastic.' Darius, it seems has found the perfect girlfriend: someone who takes him as seriously as he does.
They first met at Gatwick airport two years ago, when the Colourblind video crew were preparing to fly to Malaga for the shoot. He was being mobbed by children who hung off his arms and clamoured for autographs.
'What struck me about him was the way he treated other people.' says Ainsley. 'He is a very calming person to be around and very considerate. There was an immediate attraction between us, but I don't like diving in at the deep end.'
Neither, it seems, does Darius. Nine months after they first met, he made his move, taking her by surprise with a gesture that sounds like a story line for a teen magazine. She was at the airport again, flying to Barcelona to film a tv commercial. the stewardess at the boarding gate told her to wait in the departure lounge explaining that something 'wasn't quite right.' A moment later, Ainsley turned around and saw a huge bodyguard strolling towards her carrying a Gucci bag.
'He gave me the bag, and inside it was a Colourblind CD. As soon as I saw that, I knew who it was from. D had also put his walman in the bag and inside that was a CD of a song he had written for me.'
The bodyguard then passed her a walkie-talkie. 'I pressed the button and Darius's voice boomed out. I said, 'Where are you?' And he said, "I'm upstairs. You're wearing black jeans and a vest aren't you? I just missed you. I saw you walking through the gate, but I couldn't get through. I even tried to buy a ticket so that I could come and find you, but they wouldn't let me"'
Ainsley was 'blown away', and when she returned to Barcelona they went on their first date. Her parents came too, in splendidly old-fashioned style. Darius arrived with a large bouquet in his arms. But when Ainsley went to take it, he walked straight past her and gave the flowers to her mother.
It seems that Darius lives up to his wholesome image as a housewives' favourite. 'I knew that I was going to be in safe hands,' she says.
The relationship has moved on in the past few months. The couple now share a house in Fulham with Fame Academy runner-up Sinead Quinn, and hope to buy their own home next year.
Ainsley was born in Southend-on-Seea, Essex and went to the local comprehensive school. She honed the dancing talents seen in Die Another Day at the local nightclub, Tots. She was studying accountancy when she was 'spotted' by a scout for Premier Model Management.
Ainsley follows a healthy-eating regime, and was once told by her agency to put on weight. Laid up with flu, she had lost a stone. Her agency, horrified at her lean look, told her not to come back until she had put it back on. 'They were right - I was far too thin.' she says.
'It's just a rumour that modelling agencies push their girls to be skinny. If you aren't getting enough nutrients, your skin colour will change and you will look drawn. When I was a catwalk casting in Milan, the designer walked up and down the line of models, weeding out the girls who weren't suitable. He stopped in front of one girl and said "You're too think - I'm going to call your agency." She started to cry, but he said, "I'm calling them, it's disgusting!"'
But would Ainsley swap model casting for a desk job in an accountant's office? Premieres and glitzy parties for Tots? The pop stars pad in Fulham for Southend-on-Sea? Or Darius, for anyone?
She beams, and shakes her head. 'I wouldn't change my life for the world.'
By Donna White
MILLION Pound Property experts Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister turned out yesterday for a 12-hour Strip the Willow.
That was followed by a glitzy ball to raise money for the Leap For Meningitis campaign.
The kilted pair joined hundreds of dancers at the Edinburgh Conference Centre who jigged for charity in 10-minute shifts.
Pop hunk Darius Danesh nearly had to Strip the Willow in the buff after discovering he had left his kilt behind in London.
But MacKenzies kilt hire of Glasgow motorbiked him over a kilt in the nick of time.
The event saw Scots Tory leader David McLetchie rub shoulders with the SNP's John Swinney and JK Rowling jig with Monarch of the Glen actor Hamish Clark.
It is hoped the event will make more than £100,000 to aid the battle against meningitis. It was the brainchild of Edinburgh lawyer Olivia Giles, who had her hands and feet amputated after she fell victim to a severe form of the disease.
EXCLUSIVE
By Donna White
POP hunk Darius Danesh has an unusual invitation for his Scottish fans: 'Anyone who wants to strip with me should come along to Edinburgh on Saturday.'
The singer is backing Leap For Meningitis after being inspired by Olivia Giles, the Edinburgh lawyer who lost her hands and feet to the blood- poisoning form of the disease.
And Darius, 23, has revealed his young brother Aria, 20, was also struck by meningitis, although he made a full recovery from the viral strain.
He only realised how lucky Aria had been when he met Olivia, 38, at a charity event last year. She fell victim to meningococcal septicaemia in 2002.
She was in a coma for four weeks and surgeons were forced to amputate her hands and feet.
Darius recalled: 'I was performing at the event and there were some major celebrities there actors, singers and big names from the world of business.
'But they all paled into insignificance when Olivia took to the stage and told her story. She carried herself with such grace and dignity.
'I can honestly say there wasn't a dry eye in the house.'
The Pop Idol star talked to his fellow-Scot afterwards and pledged his support for her fundraising event in Edinburgh this Saturday.
Darius said: 'I feel inspired and humbled to have met such a remarkable human being as Olivia. Her story puts your life into perspective and makes you appreciate what you have.'
The meeting also brought back memories of his brother's fight for life 11 years ago.
Darius said: 'I remember trying to put a pillow under Aria's head and he screamed because of the excruciating pain in his neck.
'I was only 12 at the time and Aria was nine. But seeing my little brother rushed off in an ambulance is a memory that has stayed with me.
'I had no idea what was going to happen to him.'
Aria made a full recovery and will be joining his big brother for the marathon 12-hour Strip The Willow event at Edinburgh International Conference Centre over the leap year weekend.
Darius joked: 'Aria was always a tough kid who never cried... even when I was beating him up.
'I had never seen him so ill before... and hopefully I never will again.
'I learned afterwards that meningitis can affect anyone at any time.
'You can be completely healthy and do all the right things and it can still affect you. It's indiscriminate.'
As a medical student at Edinburgh University, Aria now knows about the disease in minute detail.
He said: 'I had viral meningitis, which is generally not as serious. But it can have severe after-effects, so it's best to get it dealt with straight away. Public awareness is incredibly important.
'It was one of the most frightening things that has ever happened to me.'
Leap For Meningitis will raise funds for victims of the disease and research into a vital vaccine.
It was organised by Olivia, who has been given support by former Sunday Mail Great Scot Jamie Andrew,who lost his hands and feet to frostbite while mountaineering in the Alps.
The event kicks off at midday on Saturday, when sponsored teams take to the floor in 10-minute shifts.
Anyone can register to take part... and they might even find themselves dancing a jig alongside Darius.
A host of other stars are also taking part, including Lorraine Kelly, Gavin Hastings, Monarch Of The Glen actor Hamish Clark, Sunday Mail columnist Alison Craig and TV's Million Pound Property Experiment duo Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister.
Politicians John Swinney, David McLetchie and Nicol Stephen will be there, as will Fiona Armstrong, Sally McNair, Kenny Milne, Heather Suttie and members of the River City cast.
Darius is getting in some practice to ensure the ceilidh goes with a swing.
He laughed: 'Aria has done it more recently than I have, so hopefully he'll keep me right with the steps.'
Thanks to Taylor Ferguson and The City Inn, Glasgow.
HOW TO LEAP
LEAP For Meningitis will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre from noon on Saturday, February 28.
It starts with a 12-hour sponsored Strip The Willow, with teams dancing in 10-minute shifts.
Even those who don't take part can collect sponsorship money or make a donation. Fundraisers' names will be put into a hat for a special draw.
Prizes include a two-night stay at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, including a round of golf, or a five-star two-night trip to Paris.
In the evening there will be a Grand Ball compered by Fred MacAulay and featuring music from The Proclaimers and comedy from Elaine C. Smith.
The ball is now sold out but anyone is welcome to come along during the day or send in donations. But if you want to dance, you have to register.
Proceeds will be shared equally between the Meningitis Trust and Meningitis Research Foundation.
For more details, call 0901 2706017
Exclusive There's a lot more to Scots pop star's girl than meets the eye..
By Annie Brown
SHE won fame for being the girlfriend of Darius, but now Jacqui Ainsley is hot in her own right as a Lynx girl.
Model Jacqui and, well, her nipples, have gained prominence in the latest saucy commercial for Lynx Touch, which hit screens earlier this week.
The 22-year-old blonde beauty had a riot when she spent a week filming in Cuba's capital Havana, despite Darius not being there.
She said: 'There were five girls and the lead man drinking Mojitos and dancing salsa.
'We all got on really well and we were always together off set. Filming only lasted two days, so we had three just to have a good time.
'I had always watched the Lynx adverts and thought they were really cheeky and funny.
Especially the last one. This one is naughtier, but I think it's going to be a big success.'
The ad shows a gorgeous guy walking into a Havana bar populated by stunning girls.
Whatever he does is reflected in the girls. He unzips his bag and, across the room, a girl's boot tantalisingly unzips at the same time.
When he turn two knobs on the radio, Jacqui's nipples stand up and take notice.
To get the effect right, little balloons that inflate and deflate were placed on her nipples.
She said: 'I had two men underneath my chair whose job was to pump each nipple.'
Not surprisingly, Glaswegian Darius loves the commercials and it's no mystery why he's declared he's a one-woman man, despite his reputation for having a roving eye.
There have even been rumours that he has popped the question.
Jacqui said: 'I know there is that rumour going around, but we are not engaged.
'We are just enjoying each other at the moment.'
Their enjoyment extends to travelling the world, appearing at glitzy parties and premieres. But above all, they love coming home to Scotland, not just for Darius but Jacqui, too, who is half-Scottish.
Her dad, Bob, is from Dunfermline and is delighted his daughter has hooked up with a fellow Scot.
Jacqui said: 'He thinks it's fantastic that I'm going out with a Scot. Even though I am half-Scottish, I hadn't been to Scotland before.
'We try and go up there as often as we can, but we rarely have weekends off together because we are both so busy.
'I love it. I love relaxing in Glasgow and going shopping in Edinburgh. It's great getting away from London.'
And it wasn't just Darius's good looks that drew her, but his sexy accent.
She said: 'I love Scots men. I love the accent more than any other. It's so sexy.'
And she laughs at innuendo surrounding Darius's sexuality.
She added: 'If a man is good looking and has good dress sense then he's considered gay. It's ridiculous.'
The fans certainly seem to think so and Jacqui says they have welcomed her with open arms.
With a new album in the pipeline as well as his biography, Sink or Swim, Darius is more popular than ever.
Jacqui continued: 'I go on book signings with Darius when I have a day off and I try and get to his concerts.
'I meet fans and chat to them and it's great that he can make so many people so happy. I admire what he does.'
The pair spend as much time as they can together and Jacqui is happy to jump on a plane to be with her man on the other side of the world. Darius is still recording the follow-up to last year's debut album, Dive In, and his new one is due out in September.
He travels back and forth from America where he hooked up with Miami-based Steve Morales who produced Enrique Iglesias' Escape and Christina Aguilera's Stripped.
It's a far cry from his cringing original performance on Popstars of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time.
Luckily Jacqui hasn't let it put her off. She said: 'We look at it in a light-hearted way now and laugh. I didn't see it the first time because I didn't watch the show.'
Now he's busy recording in America, Jacqui does her best to be with him.
She said: 'I love the flexibility of my job. If he has to fly to America then I can get an agent there. I can up and leave and still work at the same time.'
But it could soon get too busy as her own career is really taking off.
She said: 'The effects of Lynx are just coming out now and hopefully it will get busier and busier.'
Jacqui's career only started 18 months ago and the assignments haven't stopped. She already had eight TV ads under her belt before Lynx, including Sunsilk and Babyliss.
And she's a lot more than just a pretty face Jacqui was was studying for accountancy exams when she was scouted while shopping with her mum at home in Essex.
She said: 'My mum always said I should model, but I think everyone's mum says that.
'I went along thinking it would be a good way to earn money for university not realising it would take off.'
Within a few weeks she was on the set of Darius's video Colourblind and the two clicked immediately.
Jacqui said: 'It was a huge jump in my life I wasn't expecting any of it. It was a bonus because modelling was never my ambition.'
She's now keen to make the most of her career and emphasises that it is distinct from her life with Darius.
She added: 'Our careers are very separate. If they overlap at some point such as if I do a music video then fine, but they aren't connected.'
FIVE minutes with Jacqui and it's clear she's her own woman and bright into the bargain.
She was planning to go on and study psychology when she was spotted and, as the daughter of two teachers, she's determined to carry on with academia.
An evening class in anatomy in Essex keeps her busy and she chose the college so she can keep up with her friends and family.
Her closest friends are still the ones she knew at school.
Modelling is a short-term career and it clearly isn't all Jacqui wants from life.
She said: 'I don't see myself modelling forthe rest of my life. I always like studying on the side. I am getting into my photography and every shoot I go on, I try and pick up tips.
'I want to do a course in photography when I have finished my other one.'
For the moment, she's happy in front of the camera and is currently travelling around Europe to promote the Lynx commercial.
She said: 'I don't know until my feet hit the ground what I am doing next and it's been great. It's not what I expected as a career so every day of it is a bonus.'
With Lee-Ann Fullerton And Beverley Lyons
DARIUS is returning to the stage to support boy band Blue after spending much of last year recording his second album.
The Blue boys are playing a concert at Hull Football Club's Kingston Communications Stadium on May 1.
Brit Award nominee R&B singer Jamelia is also on the bill.
Darius' follow-up album to his Mercury Records 2002 debut Dive-In is expected to be released later this year.
Boy band Blue will be supported by R &B star Jamelia and chart-topping singer Darius at their big date in Hull.
The line-up is sure to excite pop fans, who are set to snap up tickets for the concert at the Kingston Communications Stadium.
Blue, who have stormed the charts with hits including All Rise, are topping the bill in what promises to be a sell-out event on Saturday, May 1.
They follow in the footsteps of superstar Sir Elton John, who, last summer, became the first major star to perform at the new stadium in front of a packed audience, helping to lure other top acts to the city.
Fans of the band will be delighted to learn that Jamelia and Darius will be warming up the crowd.
British singer Jamelia found fame last summer with her catchy Superstar track and has just earned her first nomination for a Brit award, as best female solo artist.
She released her debut single in 1999, and within 18 months had four hits under her belt, including Money, for which she won a Mobo award.
But the Birmingham-born 22-year-old really hit the big time with Superstar, which is in the running for best British single at the Brits.
Darius found himself a household name overnight after his cringeworthy rendition of a Britney Spears song on ITV's Pop Idol.
Judges and viewers were unimpressed and ejected him, but he returned with a different image in the second series, and despite coming third in the competition, he went on to be signed by Mercury Records.
The 23-year-old, from Glasgow, hit the number one slot with the self-penned Colourblind, setting him on the way to fulfilling his dreams of having a platinum-selling album.
The Stadium Management Company is expecting to announce two further support acts later in the week and marketing manager Rob Smith confirmed they are in talks with several major UK recording artists.
He said: "Blue live in concert at the KC Stadium is certain to be a huge draw to music fans across the region and we are confident that the announcement of these popular support acts will add further value to what looks like being another fantastic event."
Tickets for Blue Live are on sale now from the concert hotline on 08700 117 900 or from www.ticketzone.co.uk.
Tickets will go on sale in person from the KC Stadium ticket office next Monday.