Darius Danesh is coming to town in less than two weeks. Reporter KATIE CAMPLING chats to the sexy Scotsman about his links with Huddersfield, fame and the future

AS a young boy, Darius Danesh enjoyed kicking a football about in Greenhead Park with his cousins.

He never expected that, at 23, he would return to Huddersfield as a famous pop star with a platinum-selling album on his wall.

But that is what will happen on July 31 when the sexy Scotsman performs with Blue at Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium.

The Glasgow-born lad is hoping his return will live up to his fond memories.

He said: "I used to visit family here until I was about 14. Then they moved.

"I remember playing football in the park with my cousins. I can't wait to come back. Hopefully, it will be rocking."

It is not Darius's first appearance supporting Blue and he counts them as good friends.

He said: "My tour manager is theirs, too. I work with them a lot and they are great."

Sadly for gossip fans, Darius doesn't dish dirt on his famous friends. He also says he is not impressed by the celebrity culture.

He said: "I think anyone can be a celebrity, without needing any talent.

"I want to be known only for writing good songs and entertaining people."

Ironically, it was a programme born of celebrity obsession and manufactured pop that gave Darius his break.

After learning the guitar, saxophone and piano and singing as a youngster his ambition for music grew.

He eventually won an audition for Popstars through a radio contest.

During the 2001 TV show, he made an impact with his dodgy ponytail, goatee beard and an equally dodgy rendition of Britney Spears' Hit Me Baby One More Time.

After rejection in the final rounds, record deals were offered.

But his delay in deciding whether to quit university for fame meant the offers disappeared.

But with new determination - and a new hairdo - Darius entered Pop Idol and came third.

After turning down deals from Pop Idol judges Pete Waterman and Simon Cowell - fearing a lack of songwriting independence - he was snapped up by Mercury Records.

His debut song, Colourblind, went into the charts at No 1.

So, given his dislike of celebrity, what does he think of finally being one?

He said: "I feel lucky to have a career in music and it goes with it, so I take it with a pinch of salt.

"I get offers to endorse things - but I am careful. I need some dignity!

"I laugh at a lot of the gossip about me. Some is spot on and other stuff doesn't even resemble the truth.

"There have been so many different funny. There was a rumour last year that I was getting married to a girl I had never met."

Happily for the ladies, Darius is still single.

His focus has been on lyrics, not love, since his third single, Girl In The Moon, was in the charts last June.

He has spent a year with family and recording a new album, due for release in October.

He said: "I have been very lucky to work with Steven Lipson, who is one of the best producers in the world.

"It's really important to take time out in such a fast-paced business, where so much emphasis is on what you wear or who you date. It's important not to lose touch with who you are.

"For me, that's a family person who loves writing music."

He says the new album of upbeat songs will be rockier and the ballads more romantic.

The first single from the album is due to be released in September and- if the record company allows it - fans could get their first taste of it at the McAlpine.

Darius said: "With this album, I'm taking a step forward. The lyrics are about experiences I have had over the last 18 months."

Darius famously claimed he would have a double platinum album by the time he was 30.

His debut, Dive In, went platinum after release in 2002 and prompted a sell-out arena tour.

So could the new release realise the double platinum dream?

He said: "I don't know. I was amazed when Dive In went platinum. The arena tour was great fun. I never thought I'd perform for that many people."

Success has finally come to Darius after several very public rejections.

So, what advice does he have for aspiring musicians?

He said: "Never give up. Take it on the chin. Learn to get up again. Cuts and bruises are the reminders of hard lessons - and you end up stronger."

Darius spotted at the Red Hot Chili Peppers gig in Hyde Park last Friday. He was wearing a blue and white paisley shirt and jeans, and was with his brother and his girlfriend. He was getting grief from some blokes in the crowd, so he and his brother were gesturing at them and inviting them over for a fight...