Nina's Darius World

You have to bloody admire Darius. The strapping Glaswegian showed indomitable spirit when he emerged as he puts it himself, "a laughing stock" from Popstars three years ago. Confounding the critics, he bounced back a year later on Pop Idol, went to Number One with his debut single Colourblind and released a platinum-selling album, Dive In.

Now Darius has reason to show that strength of character once more. In February, his dad - the man Darius calls his "hero" - was diagnosed with terminal lymphatic cancer.

"Dad's very ill," he says simply. "But he's still here today and that is beyond my dreams, because we were told he wouldn't be. Every time I get angry and think, "Why my dad?" I realise how lucky I am to have another opportunity to say all the things you take for granted, and to appreciate simple things like talking by his bed until the small hours and laughing over a meal together. That's what it's all about. The last six months have been an amazing blessing because of the time I've had with him."

This is typical of Darius - turning, as he says, "a negative into a positive". He is getting on with life as his dad has asked him to. It is a testimony to the 24-year -old's spirit that today he's on great form; warm and funny, carrying heat's bag like a true gent and kicking back with a beer. Ok, so he does waffle on at times, but no one's perfect.

In the circumstances, it might seem trite to settle down with Darius for a gossip, but he's as accommodating as ever. His year, traumatic as it has been, has had some ups. Like hanging out with Jay Kay, becoming an X-rated internet pin-up (more on that later) and getting lucky with the love interest in his new video - Hollywood actress and star of sci-fi flick Species, Natasha Henstridge…

So, what's the situation with you and Natasha? Are you dating? Sleeping together? Boyfriend and girlfriend?

I'm still working it out. I've just come out of a long relationship (with British model Jacqui Ainsley) and I don't want to rush into anything.

Ok. But something has happened between the pair of you. Let's talk about the first time you met her, in LA in July, to discuss your video.

Oh, you'll like this because it's f****ing bizarre. (Laughs) I was staying at the Mondrian (swanky hotel loved by celebs) on Sunset Boulevard and I bumped into Jay Kay by the pool. I'd met him a few times before and he was really lovely. I ended up ordering a round of Mojitos and we hit it off. We hung out by the pool for a few days, and athe day I was meeting Natasha, I said, "I've got a meeting with Natasha Henstridge here in a bit. I've got to go and change out of my trunks." Jay was like, "Natasha Henstridge? How did you manage that?"

Were you nervous? It's not every day you get to meet a proper Hollywood actress.

I was. She is stunning and there was just something about her. Anyway, I came back downstairs in a white shirt, sunglasses and chinos. Looking good. (Laughs) I went back over to Jay and he said, "You'd better have a drink while you're waiting for her." As he said that, I saw Natasha coming towards me through the crowd by the pool. So Jay's in the pool, wearing his sunglasses and drinking a Mojito and he offers it to me…

And?

I go to take it and he grabs my wrist and yanks me into the pool! I did a somersault and my back hit the water with a slap!

Fully Clothed?

Yup. My back was so stung. And all these top models and girls in bikinis were staring. (laughs) I emerged from the pool with my shades hanging off my face, still holding the glass with a bit of mint in it. And Natasha was at the steps, holding a towel for me. All I could say was, "Hi I'm Darius."

That's quite an introduction. What did she do?

She was laughing. She said "Hi I'm Natasha, nice to meet you." I was like, "Aaaaargh, no!" (Puts his head in his hands and cracks up.) She saw it all.

Did you want to strangle Jay?

No, because it was funny. He was laughing his head off.

We bet he was! So you had to sit through your meeting soaking wet?

I was sodden. (Laughs) But I'd dried out after about half an hour. She thought I was nuts. But we just hit it off. We went out for dinner after that.

Was there an instant attraction between the two of you?

We ha really good banter. And there was definitely chemistry in the video when we shot it the next month.

Let's fast forward to that video shoot, because that was the next time you met up. Heat was there too. And you and Natasha were all over each other.

No, we weren't!

Yes, you were. At one point, you even had your hand on her bottom.

No, I didn't! (pauses) Did I?

Yes. And, at one point, the pair of you disappeared into the nearby woods for some rumpy pumpy.

No, we were just all giddy and excited by the video and the obvious situation…

Meaning that you fancied each other?

Yeah. We actually went into the woods to discuss what we were going to say if people asked us, "Are you an item?"

Ohh, shut up! Do you really expect us to believe that?

We did! Honestly. I swear.

Why couldn't you have that conversation on set? Why did you have to go into the woods to "discuss" it?

(starts laughing)

We can imagine what your "discussion" involved. Most probably rolling around in the undergrowth having full-on rumpy pumpy.

No, we weren't! (tries unsuccessfully to keep smirk off his face. See footnote*.)

What exactly did you "discuss", then?

I said, "Can I say we're dating?"

So you were dating by then?

Actually, our second official date was there in Spain, the night after the shoot. The first date wasn't really a proper one because there were lots of other people around.

We don't mean to sound rude, but how did you pull someone like her?

It's the whole pool thing. It works. When in doubt, jump into a swimming pool.

You stayed in the same hotel for a few nights after the shoot, didn't you?

(Mock indignation.) What, you expect us to stay in separate hotels? You work it out.

What was it like waking up next to a Hollywood actress?

(very long pause.) ER, I'm a lucky boy. (Starts laughing.)

How was it when you finally said goodbye at the airport? A big snog and a "see you when I see you"?

Yeah. I spoke to Natasha last week, though. We had a great time and I don't know what will happen in the future. She's in Los Angeles and I'm busy with work over here. I have no idea when I'll see her next. I'm very much a single guy.

What's she down as in your mobile phone list: "Natasha Henstridge, Movie Star"?

I'll show you. (Gets out his mobile, scrolls down the phone list and heat has a look. She's listed as "Natasha" and "Natasha Home".)

Very low-key. Ok, let's talk about you and Jacqui. What happened? You called her your "dream girl".

We're both still young. Jacqui is just at the beginning of her modelling career - she's got a big campaign in the Far East and she's in New York right now. I was working on my album and it was obvious our paths were going like that (indicates two lines branching off in different directions). If those paths meet again, who knows what might happen? We parted on very good terms.

So there was no one else involved in the split?

No, contrary to what was reported in one of the tabloids, I didn't ask Natasha out while Jacqui and I were still together. We'd actually split by the time there was speculation about me and Natasha.

Jacqui was really fit as well. Apart from your pool trick, what is your secret to pulling gorgeous women?

(looks coy.)

Is it your wit?

(looks sutably flattered.)

Your charm?

(smiles engagingly)

Or maybe it's the size of your willy! (At this point heat pulls out the infamous "kilt" photo - and triumphantly brandishes it in front of him.)

(Cracks up.) Oh, fantastic. That is the best photograph ever.

You have seen it, then? (The photo was taken by a photographer at a concert in Glasgow last year and has been doing the rounds on the internet ever since.)

Oh yeah. I want to give it to my mum for Christmas.

No, you really don't. Please tell us that little girl can't see you….

Of course not. It's below her eye level. She was looking at my face. I got down on one knee because she was so tiny. Then the paparazzi got me.

Didn't you consider that crouching down in a kilt, with no pants on, in front of a crowd, might not be the wisest thing to do?

Possibly not.

Did anyone shout, "Oi, Darius, Your knob's hanging out!"

Thank goodness not. (Laughs)

This picture has never been published in a magazine before. How do you feel about all our readers seeing your meat-and-two-veg?

Is it really going in heat? (Looks concerned.) You will put a star over it, won't you?

You've got nothing to be embarrassed about; you look very well-hung. What are you packing? Nine, ten inches?

Shocked five-second silence followed by a roar of laughter.)

We've never known you to be stuck for words.

(Still laughing.) Good girl! People did ask me if it was enhanced. It wasn't

So how big is it?

Do you know what? At the moment, there are very few girls who know the answer to that. Let's keep it that way.

Spoilsport. Haven't blokes in the street come up and congratulated you since seeing the photo, though?

Yeah. (Laughs) This old guy walked up to me in the pub back home and said, (puts on really strong accent) "You've done Scotland proud, son."

Last time heat interviewed you, you got drunk on champagne and told us a girl you'd been seeing had shaved off your pubes…

Well, I had come straight from a lunch where we'd been drinking champagne, and I brought another bottle with me. Let's remember that.

You haven't been tempted to have it done again?

(Laughs.) Can't you see from the photograph?!

*Footnote: after vigorously denying anything untoward had taken place between him and Natasha in the woods, it transpires, that, at that shoot, Darius told another heat person that they'd disappeared in there because, "Natasha wasn't feeling well." Nice try, mate! We love you, but if you're going to deny any sneaky romping in the future, you'd better get your story straight first…

Darius' single Kinda Love is out 18 October on Mercury Records. His second album Live Twice is out 25 October