Never heard of it? If so, you're not alone " awareness of the disease is low, but NHL is a form of cancer that's growing at an alarming rate. Every year now, over 9,000 new cases are diagnosed in the UK alone, compared to 7,600 in 1997 and 2,200 in 1971.

Unless you're a medic, understanding the jargon surrounding the disease can be a challenge. Put simply, the white blood cells, which help the body to fight infection, sometimes grow and multiply uncontrollably. These tumours, or lymphomas, as they're called, often start in the lymph nodes, spleen, or bone marrow. Dr Chris Hatton, a consultant haematologist at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, says, 'We don't know for sure what causes it, but infection, genetic factors and viruses such as HIV are possible triggers.' The older you are, the more likely you are to get it " although cases like Hayley's prove this isn't always so.

Some forms of the disease are fast-spreading, others less aggressive. 'It's complex,' admits Dr Hatton. 'We've developed ways to treat them " some more successfully than others. The most common is a combination of chemotherapy and a drug called Rituximab, which has really improved the outcome for patients.'

Hayley found losing her long blonde hair the most distressing thing about her treatment, but after 12 weeks she was given the all- clear. 'I was determined to get my life back on track and I returned to university and finished my degree.' Her relief was short-lived for, 18 months later, the tumour in her chest returned. 'I was devastated, having just landed my dream job. In the end, I quit, in order to focus on the treatment,' she says. Fortunately, she's now in remission. 'I feel my life is finally back on track.'

So how can you tell when something's amiss? Confusingly, the roll- call of possible symptoms " anything from a swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin, night sweats, fever, weight loss, poor appetite and tiredness, itchiness, a cough, breathlessness, or abdominal swelling or pain " can be caused by other conditions.

Take the pop star Darius Danesh, whose father, Booth, was caught unawares two years ago, at the age of 62. 'He's a doctor, a consultant gastroenterologist, but even he mistook his aches and pains for arthritis. By the time he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, it had already spread to his liver and spine, and he was given just three months to live. The whole family was in shock.'

Around the same time, the model Nell McAndrew found herself in an equally bleak situation: her father Ted, 51, developed an aggressive form of the disease. 'When you hear the word cancer, you automatically think the worst. He was given a 50:50 chance of survival,' she says. 'Just the thought of him being in pain or suffering was extremely upsetting.'

'My mum and I would sit with him when he was having his treatments,' she continues. 'They left him drained, he lost weight and his head and face felt hot. I offered to massage his scalp, shoulders, even his feet (and they aren't the prettiest things), but he refused. He just wanted to get on and fight the disease.' Happily, he's since gone into remission. 'He looks great, but obviously he still worries that it'll return.'

And Darius? Amazingly, his father proved the doctors wrong. Darius is clearly delighted, 'He lapped up the alternative therapies on offer at the Royal Marsden " he tried reiki, acupuncture and aromatherapy. I think they, and a combination of conventional treatment, positive thinking and our prayers and love helped him pull through. Getting the all-clear was the best present ever,' sighs the singer. 'We're the lucky ones.'

POP heart-throb Darius Danesh, who openly admits he just loves Paisley, is urging Buddies to help raise cash to help in the fight against the little known cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The singer's father Booth was diagnosed with NHL, a cancer of the lymphatic system, in 2003 and the chart-topping star said his dad's brave battle against the illness played a huge part in inspiring the lyrics for his second album.

Despite his condition, brave Booth told his son: "You've got to move on and keep going."

Now the caring singer - who has close links to Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew, where some of his family live and work - is hoping he will gain support from Paisley Daily Express readers.

Darius said: "My father has been a huge inspiration for me. His battle against cancer has been something for me that I have expressed, I feel, on the album with Twice."

The former Pop Idol favourite, whose mum Avril was born in Paisley and is well-known in the area through her work as a doctor in Johnstone, added that his dad's illness has made him focus more on the importance of having his family around him.

That's why Darius is taking time out from his hectic superstar lifestyle to support a campaign which aims to raise awareness of lymphoma, as well as coining in cash for those affected by the illness.

The Great British Tea Break, organised by the Lymphoma Association, encourages people to collect cash for the campaign by joining their friends for a cuppa.

And Darius, who was mobbed by adoring fans when he switched on Paisley's Christmas lights last year, is confident Buddies will rally round to support the worthy cause.

The singing star told the Express: "I'm calling on people in Renfrewshire to get out the shortbread, hold a tea break and donate money to the Lymphoma Association to further its work in helping those touched by lymphoma and to inform the public about the disease.

"Funds can be raised by charging for tea and cake or even by doing something as simple as holding a raffle."

Although lymphatic cancer is the third-fastest growing cancer in the UK and can affect people of all ages, doctors call it the 'Cinderella cancer' because so few people know anything about it.

It is hoped that Lymphatic Cancer Awareness Week, which started on Sunday and runs until May 21, will help to put the illness in the spotlight.

And, to support the campaign, Darius joined forces with top model Nell McAndrew - whose dad Ted was also diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2003 - to stage his own fundraising Great British Tea Break event at the prestigious Ritz Hotel in London.

Darius, who shot to the top of the charts with his debut single Colourblind and has since enjoyed a string of hits, said: "Lymphatic cancer is a potentially curable disease, so it's vital that an urgent change is made to the very low levels of awareness.

"I'd also like those affected by lymphatic cancer to be aware of the fantastic support and information offered by the Lymphoma Association."

Now one lucky Buddie could be joining Darius and Nell for tea at the Ritz later this year.

That's the prize up for grabs to the person who raises the most money from a Great British Tea Break event by June 30.

Details of the competition rules are available from the website at www.lymphoma.org.uk and anyone who would like more information about how to take part in the Great British Tea Break should call Sandra Roycroft-Davis on 07843 599601 or Lisa Trivett on 01296 619416.

SCOTS pop hunk Darius Danesh has found a new way of earn a crust - performing at Pizza Express.

Fans can catcha a slice of the action when the singer plays three gigs at Maidstone, Kent.

The 100-capacity eaterie may be a few steps down from hampden, where he bleted out Flower of Scotland in front of 67,000 rugby fans when Scotland took France in the Six Nations last year. But Darius, from Bearsden, Glasgow 0 who shote to fame on ITV's Pop Idol - is delighted to be topping the bill.

A source close to the 24-year-old admitted: "It's quite an unusual venue for Darius. He's more used to playing bigger gigs, so this will be a new experence for him. But it's cracking venue and he was pleased when Pizza Express asked him becasue it's something different.

"It'll be a good night out for his fans too - they'll be able to enjoy a pizza and a glass of wine while they're entertained by Darius."

Hits

After losing out to Will Young and Gareth Gates in the ITV talent show, the heart-throb's first single, Colourblind, hot No1 in 2002. Since then he has notched up a string of chart hits including Girl In The Moon and Live Twice - inspired by his dad's battle with cancer. The star's beloved father, Booth, was diagnosed with the disease in February 2004, but the 62-year-old defued medics and is now in remisson.

Darius's first gig - next Friday - and a July 30 show are already sold out, but fans can still buy tickets for a July 3 performace. Pizza Express manager Greg Karp explained: "We've got a seprate music room in the restaurant and that's where he'll play. But the capacity is only 100 so it's smaller venue than he's used to. Getting Darius is and experment, but so far we've had a fantasice reponse."

MORE stars of stage and screen are finding out just how good it is to be in Ayrshire and Arran.

Spotlight has been keeping an eye on the influx of celebs to our shores and can reveal:

*DARIUS spent Christmas in Brodick

*LORRAINE CHASE visited Arran and stayed at Seamill Hyrdo

*MARIELLA FROSTRUP has moved to South Ayrshire

The Pop Idol singer Darius, known to turn women weak at the knees, stayed at the Auchraniefor Christmas with his close family.

And according to sources he mentioned the island and what a great place it was live on ITV's This Morning programme.

The Auchrannie's Ronnie Mann revealed: "Darius was here to escape and relax and he found the island a perfect haven. We kept his visit such a tight secret that there were not even any groupies.

"We can provide the quality of accommodation that meets the needs of celebrities and we were delighted to look after Darius and his family."

ITV soap Emmerdale was also filming in Brodick and on the ferry last week and a sixty-strong crew based themselves at Seamill Hydro for up to seven days. 'Luton Airport' model Lorraine Chase was the best known face as Emmerdale filmed dramatic scenes for its 4000 episode to be broadcast on March 17. Look out on the show for shots of several of Arran's well known hotels including the McAlpine and Dunvegan Guest House. Scenes were also shot at the Heritage Museum.

Meanwhile husky-voiced Mariella Frostrup is doing up her new holiday home with her husband Jason deep within the South Ayrshire hills. Unbeknown to many, her mother already lived in the area and she has marvelled at the wide open spaces and lovely country walks. Apparently the old cottage needs huge amounts of work.

Joan Stewart, the tourist board's Marketing and Research Manager, said: "Anything the celebrities can do to make our area more popular is great news. It is probably amazing the number of people who want to share the same experiences that well-known people have.

"The stars obviously come here for peace and to get away from prying cameras. We only know about the tip of the iceberg . . . it is likely there are many more enjoying our area."

A serious illness suddenly changed Mark Edwards' outlook on life.

After being diagnosed with lymphatic cancer in December 2001, Mark not only started the long road back to fitness but also found the time to re-evaluate what was important to him.

While undergoing intense chemotherapy he took up running and met his girlfriend Kate Darby, a student at Nottingham University.

He completed the London Marathon in a very respectable 3hrs 53mins and raised almost £2,000 for the Lymphoma Association. He is keeping fit to compete in the Great North Road Run later this year.

And recently he sat down for tea at the Ritz with model Nell McAndrew and singer Darius Danesh to raise awareness in Hertfordshire of the disease.

Now 26-year-old Mark, Nell and Darius are working with the Lymphoma Association during Lymphatic Cancer Awareness Week starting on Saturday (May 14).

"The disease certainly changed my life. I had just moved out of my parents' home when I found a lump on my neck," said Mark, a marketing officer at a London university whose family home is in Preston.

"I was quite sick and ill during the chemotherapy but felt change was important when I went into remission. I looked at my life very differently and began to value things in a different light.

"I took up running and even met my girlfriend when I was having treatment and I must say I am happy with life.

"I am living a better life now and doing a job I love so the message is you can beat this disease. It is not the end of the world.