Darius World

I was so naïve – and cocky!

Hot Stars - OK Magazine 26 February 2003

Since his cringe-making appearance on Pop Idol, Darius has had two number ones and counts Liam Gallagher among his fans. And now the 22 – year – old is said to be engaged!

After performing his chucklesome rendition of Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time on Pop Idol, it looked like Darius Danesh would vanish faster than Michael Jackson’s’ nose.

But after two self penned number ones (Colourblind and Rushes) and an impressive debut album – not to mention an endorsement from Liam Gallagher – the 22 – year - old Glaswegian guitar strummer looks likely to have a longer self life than your average reality TV star.

He’s clinched a five-album deal and without the floppy ponytail and dodgy facial hair he’s literally fighting the girls off – only weeks ago 20 yr old Mirella Dell’Aquila, a singer with a Canadian girlband announced their engagement. Here he set the record straight…………………….

So you are engaged to Mirella? What’s the story?

I’ve never spoken to her on the phone or met her – with the exception of once six months ago when her manager asked if I would have my photo taken with them. I realised that they cut out four of the girls and put me next to her. This girl claims that I’ve had a six month relationship with her and met her parents. I proposed on one knee on New Years Eve, which is fascinating because I was in London with my family. It’s a complete fabrication but they needed publicity for their second single after the first one flopped.

Are you in a relationship at the moment?

In the past 3 months I’ve dated four girls and I’m really enjoying the single life, so I wouldn’t do anything silly like propose. If I was dating a girl now it would be a girl-next –door. This lifestyle’s mad and I’m always on the move. I need balance and I don’t think I’d get that from a celebrity. I need a down-to-earth girl with her own passions, someone who looks great with blow dried hair and wearing a pair of jeans!

Your popularity has gone through the roof recently……….

Really? Sometimes I can’t see the wood for the trees. Sometimes I feel like I’ve robbed a bank and I wonder if I’ve got away with it or if they’re going to take it all back!! It’s like being in a bubble so I just get on with what’s important to me: my family, my mates and the music. I don’t really think too much about what people are saying, especially in the last year. Before that I worried so much about what people thought of me.

You’ve changed a lot since Pop Idol

I suppose I have. If I look back at the kid that walked through the first audition door… it was three years ago. I was a very insecure boy, as a person and performer. I was naïve and cocky too and I came across as a person my family and friends didn’t recognise.

We’re pleased you’ve ditched the ponytail!

You know when they say that a man hides behind facial hair or a hairstyle that isn’t him? That was completely me. I felt like a weight had been lifted when I got rid of the hair and beard. My mum was glad but the reason I had the ponytail in the first place is because I joined the Army (must mean the TA’s. Jo) when I was sixteen, and they made me cut my hair really short. After that I didn’t cut it for three years.

Do you look back and cringe at your performance on Pop Idol?

Not any more, I laugh. It was buried when I did Colourblind. Now people come up to me and say, ‘Good on you!’ The focus is more on what I’m about now.

Were you flattered when Liam Gallagher bigged you up on TV?

Very flattered! I remember being in the studio with Cat Deeley, who said there was a message from a fan. It cut to a satellite link with Noel and Liam and Liam said (adopts nasal Lennon-esque drawl), ‘We always said you’d do it son’, and Noel said ‘Top man! Top tunes!’ You can’t get a nicer compliment.

Do you stay in touch with Will and Gareth?

We are all in the same business so we see each other around but in six months I probably get one weekend off, which I spend with my family and best mates. I saw them both at Record of the Year recently and we had a giggle and a drink but we’re not as close buddies as when we did the show.

What do you spend your money on?

I’ve been enjoying spending money like water and just recently went on holiday with my brother to Mauritius – I was a sailing instructor before so I bought us both a diving course when we were over there. I’ve bought loads of scuba-diving gear and after Rushes I bought a red Ducati motorbike.