Pop Idol Darius is said to be dating ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell

They could be showbiz's oddest couple... but the rumours say ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is dating Pop Idol star Darius Danesh.

Pals claim the pair are "loved-up" after meeting at the Tickled Pink breast cancer charity gig in London last month.

And even though the 32 year-old Ginger Spice is eight years older than the Scot she's said to be head over heels for her "little toyboy".

The couple live just yards from each other in Kensington so their romance has been strictly low profile so far.

One friend said: "They seem like an odd couple, but it looks like the real thing."

Darius is still getting over his break-up with actress Natasha Henstridge - while Geri had given up on finding "the one" after doomed romances with Chris Evans and Robbie Williams.

But it seems the two of them have found solace in each others' arms and have been on a string of dates.

The pal added: "They clicked straight away. Darius asked her out and she said yes."

Get ready for the oddest couple in showbusiness because we can reveal Geri Halliwell is dating pop idol Darius Danesh. At 32, Geri is eight years older than her beau, though at 5ft. 2 ins she's a good 14 inches shorter. But she has been telling pals she has fallen head over heels for her "little toyboy". A friend of Darius told us they seem like an odd couple but it looks like the real thing. Geri has been swooning that Darius is absolutely gorgeous. Shes fallen for him very hard and very quickly. She even says Darius is the man of her dreams. The former spice girl was smitten when they met at the Tickled pink breast cancer charity concert at the Royal Albert hall last month. Geri performed her next single Ride it before Darius took to the stage to sing his top 10 hit Kinda Love. At the after show party friends noticed the pair cosied up and chatted intimately. Our source added they clicked right away and Darius asked her out and she said yes. They have been on several dates since then and it seems to be going well. Darius is still recovering from his break up with Natasha Henstridge while his dad is dying of cancer. The insider said Geri is the perfect shoulder to cry on. The couple live just yards apart from each other - him in chelsea and her in kensington. After failed romances with Robbie Williams and Chris Evans, Geri said recently I've given up finding the one, I dont want to have to try all the time. Geri's spokesman said they are friends but Geri is still single. Yeah right.

Pop Idol star Darius was today set to woo his Ulster fans when he arrives in Belfast to sign copies of his new album.

The handsome Scot will be at the HMV store in Donegall Arcade at 6pm where he will perform for fans and sign copies of his latest release, Live Twice.

The chart-topper has come far since he first found notoriety on Pop Idol with a cheesy version of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time.

The 24-year-old is continuing his comeback with a brand-new album, produced by Grammy nominated producer Steve Lipson. Live Twice is a collection of guitar tracks and ballads.

Colin Ferguson, manager of HMV Donegall Arcade, said: "Everyone's favourite Pop Idol reject has risen above his notorious early TV performances to become one of Britain's best-loved male pop performers.

"We are delighted to have Darius perform at the store, for what will definitely be a popular event. This signing will give fans a great opportunity to meet the Scottish singer and add this new album to their collection."

DARIUS, the pop star, will join established screen and stage stars as well as young musicians at the annual Night Under the Stars next month (November 25) to raise funds for The Passage, the largest day centre for homeless people in Britain.

The event, at the Royal Festival Hall, is expected to raise up to £100,000 towards employment of street outreach workers who help people sleeping rough in Westminster and Victoria in London to move into permanent accommodation.

Nicola Benedetti, the violinist who at the age of 16 won the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year competition this year, will play Camille Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso and Jules Massenet’s Meditation from Thais.

Sir Roger Moore, of the James Bond movies and ambassador for Unicef, who will host the evening, quoted William Penn, the 17th-century hero of American liberty, who said: “I expect to pass through this life but once. Therefore, if there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do for another human being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Sir Roger said: “I cannot walk past homeless persons with a cap in hand without putting something in. You get the cynics who say we should not give anything because it will all go on drink or drugs but I believe we should look for the good in people.”

Patricia Hodge, who will read extracts from Cathy Come Home, said: “Homelessness is something that a civilised society cannot turn its back on.”

The Passage was founded by the late Cardinal Basil Hume 24 years ago. Although there are 200 voluntary workers, running costs are more than £3.5 million a year, of which only half comes from taxpayers’ money. The concert, which will also feature Anthony Andrews, best known as the teddy-bear-clutching Sebastian in the television series Brideshead Revisited, the actor George Baker and the opera singer Dame Ann Murray, is its biggest fundraising event of the year.

The director, Sister Ellen Flynn, of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, said: “The Passage, which is close to Victoria Coach Station, is often called the arrivals lounge of homelessness. People become homeless for a number of reasons, including family breakdown, loss of income and serious health issues. People come to us from all over the world. More recently there have been people arriving from the new EU countries.” Services range from health to housing, educating, training and employment. Sister Ellen said: “These resources inspire and challenge people to transform their lives. An event like this helps us to keep our supporters informed and raise awareness and the profile of the charity, and ultimately of homeless people.”

He may not feel haunted by his reality TV past,but he he'll never forget this creepy experience! A few years ago the Colourblind singer was living in an old house in south London with a creaky staircase and ha invited a few friends round for Halloween.After spending the evening telling ghost stories,the group went to bed but couldn,t sleep.''we heard this creacking noise like someone running up and down the stairs'',says Darius.''I crept out to look but nobody was there.Later i found out yearsearlier a builder had fallen down the stairs and died.''

Reality TV star and singer/songwriter, Darius Danesh, stopped off at Woolworths during his whistle stop tour of Scotland to promote his new single This Kinda Love and his album Live Twice this week.

More than 200 fans turned up to the signing and queued for hours to catch a glimpse of the star.

Shopping centre mascots MacHappy and MacHuggy were the first in the queue to meet and greet Darius as well as former Miss Scotland Nicola Jolly.

Frank Sutherland, centre manager for the Bon Accord Shopping Centre, said: “We are huge supporters of Darius and enjoyed welcoming him back to the Granite City. “His song writing and performing talents show that Scotland is still producing great home-grown talent. “The fans turned out in their droves to meet and greet the star and had a fantastic day.
“We look forward to welcoming Darius back soon.”

Pop star Darius flirted with beauty queen Nicola Jolly - then admitted he had no idea who she was.

The former Miss Scotland and Miss UK risked life and limb when she skipped to the front of a queue of schoolgirls so she could get close to her heart-throb.

But after they shared a kiss and posed for pictures, cheeky Darius owned up and even questioned Nicola's good looks.

He said: "I honestly didn't know who she was. But she is a lovely girl with a warm smile so she was certainly deserving of the title. But there are hundreds of other gorgeous girls out there who would definitely give her a run for her money."

Darius and Nicola met when he paid a visit to the Woolworth's shop in Aberdeen's Bon Accord Centre to promote his album, Live Twice, and single, Kinda Love.

Hordes of schoolgirls cheerily admitted to bunking off school so they could meet their idol in the flesh and get him to sign a copy of his new album.

But Nicola, who lives in Aberdeen, was able to cash in on her fame and arranged to be taken to the front of the queue.

She got Darius to sign CDs for her family and friends before the pair got cosy and chatted at length.

Despite his jibe Nicola said: "He's a nice guy and I like his music. I know everyone will be really chuffed that I managed to get a signed CD for them."

More than 150 devoted fans showed up to catch a glimpse of Darius.

Darius was delighted with the warm welcome and hoped his fans would appreciate his new album.

The reality TV star was appearing at Woolworths in Aberdeen’s Bon Accord Centre to sign copies of his new single, Kinda Love, and album, Live Twice.

Fans started queuing to catch a glimpse of the 24 year old singer just ater 10am

At the front of the queue was Claire Eaton, 22 and 19 year old Pauline smith.

Claire, a student nurse from Johnshaven, said: “We go here at abut 10.30am.”

“We are big Darius fans but have never had the chance to see him perform before.”

Lorraine Henderson had come with her mum’s CDs for the Pop Idol star to sign.

Lorraine, 40, a student from Garthdee said: “I have never seen him before. I’ve come especially for my mum to get his autograph she is a really big fan.

“I like his new song – he is a bit different to everything else in the charts.”

A number of fans had travelled from further afield to see the star, whose debut single Colourblind went straight in at Number One.

Claire Lynn, 16, Claire Mullen, 17, and Sharon Montgomerie, 28, all travelled to Aberdeen from Glasgow.

Sharon said: “We are all big Darius fans. “We have seen him a number of times including in Newcastle and Bournemouth.

“After we’ve seen him here we are travelling down to Dundee where he is also going to be.”

Darius made his name as the man who refused to give up in ITV’s series of reality shows.

His persistence paid off as he reached the final of Pop Idol and secured a record deal with Universal.

After his debut single, Colourblind, hit the top spot his following two singles made the Top 10, along with his album, Dive In.

And now the Scots star is back with a fresh new sound which he is hoping his fans will love.

Hundereds of happy Darius Danesh fans queued for around 2 hours yesterday to meet the star at Woolworth's in the Wellgate Centre, Dundee.

The 24 year old Glaswegian signed autographs, posed for photos and chatted to the fans who queued up along almost the entire length of the second floor of the shopping centre.

Fans of all ages from primary school children to grannies asked him to sign copies of his new album Live Twice, which was released yesterday and the current single Kinda Love which went straight into the charts at number eight on Sunday.

"I was hoping for top 15 or 20" Darius said.

"To go into the top 10 is fantastic because I've been away for 18 months and you never know what to expect."

A combination of writers block and his father being diagnosed with terminal cancer caused Darius to put his pop career on hold after the sucess of his 2002 debut album Dive In.

However he admits it was his dads fighting spirit that persuaded him to get back working again.

"He told me life's too short, he was fighting to see his childrens achievements and that gave him strength to fight the cancer.

"We bounce of each other and it's a huge inspiration to me to see how he's fighting the diagnosis" he added.

With Lee-Ann Fullerton And Beverley Lyons

SCOTS singer Darius got flirty with former Miss Scotland Nicola Jolly at his latest signing in Aberdeen.

Darius was in Woolworths to promote new single, Kinda Love, and he couldn't help looking at some of the other goods on offer. He wouldn't be Darius if he didn't.

The fifth new entry inside the Top 10 is one which proves that it is still possible for old Pop Idols to have hits. Darius Danesh was of course one of the stars of the first Pop Idol series, bouncing back after making a fool of himself in the original Popstars series to become one of the contenders for the solo crown, eventually being beaten into third place behind Will Young and Gareth Gates. Still, it gave him the chance to make good on his long standing promise to have a Number One hit single, 'Colourblind' topping the charts in August 2002 and kicking off a run of four hit singles from his debut album. Two years down the line he is back with a second album and a brand new hit single which defies many expectations and flies nicely into the Top 10. Darius' main problem is the sheer overpowering self-confidence that saw him through the TV talent shows in the first place. All his singles appear to drown in their own lyrical cleverness to the extent that you sometimes feel you are listening to a man determined to show off to the class bullies rather than simply entertain. Simon Cowell of all people once said that Darius' problem is that he simply isn't as good as he believes himself to be, the net result of this being in my view that you want to avoid his records just to rub his nose in it, regardless of how tuneful they happen to be. For the moment of course nobody has their nose rubbed in anything, 'Kinda Love' is his fourth Top 10 hit single

Darius Danesh, everyone's favourite Pop Idol loser, gave fans in Oxford a taste of his new single.

He performed Kinda Love as part of an acoustic set in HMV in Cornmarket St on Monday.

The single went on sale the same day and is the first off forthcoming album Live Twice which is out next week.

The album is a follow up to his platinum selling album, Dive in released in 2002.

The album featured 4 hit singles including a number one, Colourblind.

Fans were treated to a short acoustic set on Monday, before Darius 24, signed copies of the single.

FORMER Pop Idol star Darius Danesh secretly lusts after older women, claim pals of the singer 'It started when he was a teenager because he was tall and looked older ,' revealed one friend. At 14, he used to get lots of attention from women who were twice his age. At 17, he was going out with a 32-year-old. Darius is dating girls his own age these days and seems really happy. But deep down he is really into older ones.'

Despite it being half past 11 on a very wet and windy Tuesday morning at the Braehead Shopping Centre near Glasgow, hundreds turned up to meet local popstar Darius on the release of his new single.

Asked if he was concerned that no one would show up today, Darius said: "We just got on the plane about an hour and a half ago. We got here lightning fast time but before we got on the plane we were told that the shipment of 30,000 CDs didn't make it up to Scotland in time. It was a prank that they played on me. I couldn't believe it. I was like "oh no, I'm going to have to apologise to every single one of the guys and sign hands or something." So it's been great to come back and have everyone here, I mean I'm thrilled I'm knocked out. Thanks guys for coming!"

With his second album due out shortly, is he feeling any nerves?

"Honestly? Not at all. I didn't think I was going to be releasing the album this year so I'm just happy to be here. I thought that I was going to be taking time out to spend time with the family and so being here is really, it's because of the encouragement of my father particularly who's been ill this year and who's 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 . I wouldn't be here if he hadn't said, "Darius, you've got to move on and keep going." And it drew focus for me on how important not worrying about your job is. Not worrying if it sells a lot, not worrying if it goes high up in the charts. I mean it really doesn't matter."

Darius has a new single and a new album coming out as well. It is an exciting time for Darius.

He said: "Kind of Love is out today. I'm kind of excited. "

Our reporter Nick Dixon said it was the first time he had interviewed someone he has had to look up.

Darius said: "Hey, do you know they say that I'm the tallest man in pop and I didn't realise it until I met Brian McFadden who's tall and we look eye to eye. And so it's something that I've taken for granted for a while and it's really annoyed me when I get onto the underground or the bus and I bump my head so it has its ups and its downs!"

DARIUS has risked his life to pose for a dramatic picture for the cover of his new album.

The Scots singer was doing a photo-shoot for Live Twice in New York and decided he wanted to get close to the edge of a building hundreds of feet up. And he didn't think twice about doing the daredevil stunt without a harness.

'The building was only about 10 storeys less than the Empire State.

'The photographer had done pictures for Usher, which I really liked, with him on top of a building. 'When I asked how close he was, the photographer said: 'Near enough'.

'So I decided I wanted to sit right on the edge of the building. I wasn't scared because heights don't bother me.'

Darius was in Glasgow and Edinburgh yesterday to sign copies of his latest single Kinda Love.

Daily Record 19 October 2004

SCOTS crooner Darius Danesh got hot under the collar when Lorraine Kelly complimented his manhood on live TV.

The singer appeared on This Morning yesterday and flirted with presenter Lorraine.

Conversation turned to the loss of his mobile, which had racy pictures stored on it, some of which have appeared on the net.

Lorraine piped up: 'There's one of you in a kilt . You're a good Scot, you didn't have anything on under it. Sadly, we can't show it.'

Co-presenter Philip Schofield cried: 'Of course we can't, it's like the last turkey before Christmas.'

Lorraine added: 'It's actually a very impressive turkey, looked at it for research purposes.'

'Really?' purred Darius. 'It's my screen saver, ' she said.

Telly star Lorraine Kelly yesterday admitted having a sneaking look up Darius Danesh's kilt and she made the pop idol HUNK (makes a change) blush by revealing on live TV that she was a big fan of his manhood. The gmtV presenter currently hosting This morning, told viewers that she'd seen saucy shots of the HOT scotsman on the internet.Lusty fellow scot lorraine, 44, said theres one of you in a kilt its very impressive. You are a good scotsman because you didnt have anything on under your kilt. Sadly and tragically we cant show it. Co-host Philip scofield 42, said of course we cant show it, its like the last turkey in the shop before xmas. Lorraine added its actually a very impressive turkey I must say. I have looked at it for research purposes - its my screen saver. A red faced Darius24, told her I really did not want my mother to see it. The paparazzi were actually on the floor shooting upwards. But he defended his cheeky no pants stance - I would have got more of a battering from my mates at home if I'd been wearing underwear because then you are not a true scot.

NEW SINGLE 'KINDA LOVE' 18/10/04, NEW ALBUM 'LIVE TWICE' 25/10/04

Mercury records release the second album by one of Scotland’s finest exports, the mighty Darius.

The 24 year old is set to release ‘Live Twice’ on October 25th , this is the follow up to his platinum selling debut ‘Dive In’ which was released in November 2002.

The album spawned four hit singles including a number one, ‘Colourblind’.

** The Darius @ Kinda Love article continues now **

Last summer he embarked on his first ever UK tour which saw him play to sell out audiences the length and breadth of the country. He was also happy to discover that 70% of his audience was made up of very enthusiastic females fans!

Darius also found time to pen a book ‘Darius: Sink Or Swim’ which spills the beans on how he got a foot in the door of the music industry and what really went on behind the scenes on TV.

Darius flew to LA with Grammy nominated producer Steve Lipson to work on the new album. ‘Live Twice’ is an impressive album packed full of catchy pop infused guitar tracks and heart rendering ballads, something for everyone.

The first single from the album is the upbeat ‘Kinda Love’.

The video for which was shot recently in Spain and features a very sexy looking Natasha Henstridge (of Species fame) as the love interest.

LUCKY Stephanie Kelly met her Pop Idol Darius as he made an appearance at

Braehead shopping centre near Glasgow today.

The Scots star was at the centre's HMV store to sign copies of his latest single

Kinda Love which was released yesterday.

And 14-year-old Stephanie, from East Kilbride, was delighted to get chatting to the 24-year-old pop sensation. She was among the hundreds of fans who queued for hours to catch a glimpse of their idol.

Kinda Love is the first track to be taken from Darius's new album Love Twice which will be released on Monday.

Darius - who appeared on ITV series Pop Stars and Pop Idol - had a number one

POP star Darius Danesh is set to sign copies of his new single for fans when he makes an appearance at HMV on Princes Street next week.

The former Pop Idol contestant is on a publicity tour of the UK to launch his latest song Kinda Love.

The single is the first to be released from his forthcoming album, Live Twice, and the Glaswegian singer was in Spain recently to shoot the video with Species star Natasha Henstridge.

The new album is the follow up to the platinum-selling debut Dive In released in 2002.

The album spawned four hit singles including a number one, Colourblind, and last summer the singer embarked on his first UK tour which saw him play to sell-out audiences the length and breadth of the country.

Darius will be appearing at HMV, Princes Street, on Tuesday, October 19, at 5pm.

SCOTS pop star Darius turned up the heat in his battle for the top of the charts yesterday when he appeared as a special guest on MTV's Total Request Live show.

The singer releases his new single Kinda Love on Monday and his album is due out of October 25th named Live Twice.

The Glasgow lad wowed show regulars with what is easily the best thing he's done since he hit the charts.

Here's hoping he gets to Number One with this smash!

It was a dull, wet Tuesday night BUT in Bambuu Bar, Southampton the Champagne was flowing and Darius was giving Ocean FM listeners what they really want, an exclusive, intimate, up close evening with the man himself!

Darius was the perfect guest, chatting to everyone, having his photo taken and taking an interest in his fans. After a brief chat Darius reached for his guitar and gathered everyone around to play 5 songs each with a theme of love. Everyone was wrapped up in the artist's voice as he acoustically serenaded them all. Tracks included his first single 'Colourblind', a cover of George Michael's Faith and a very personal song inspired by Darius's hero, his Dad.

It proved very over whelming for some people!

We gave everyone the chance to suggest a question for Darius to answer, some were more cheeky than others; What will you be doing in 20 years time?, How many girlfriends have you had?

The whole evening was very special and after the last chance for everyone to get their picture taken and find anything that could be signed! Darius went round everyone again thanking them for a great time.

Darius is currently playing intimate evenings around the UK and looking forward to his single release on Ocean FM look forward to seeing Darius soon so keep listening and you could be joining us next time!

Darius is terified "personal" movies of him with actress girlfriend Natasha Henstridge will turn up on the internet.

The former Pop Idol star lost his hi-tech video mobile phone while out clubbing in central London.

And now he desperately wants it back.

My spy close to the hunky hitmaker tells me "Darius is literally tearing his hair out over this"

The mini-films on the phone are solely for his and Natasha's personal entertainment and he would be absolutly mortified if they leaked out anywhere"

The worried star has got staff at his record label working round the clock in an attempt to locate the device which went missing last Thursday night.

My source says "The Mercury staff have gone into overdrive trying to find Darius' precious phone, They've been ringing around all the venues he went to last week but they haven't had any luck yet."

Darius first met Henstridge in LA in June. Her biggest film role to date has been that of a barely clad man-eating alien in Species.

Soon after they were smooching in Southern Spain as part of the video to new single Kinda Love.

But the pair have found it hard to keep their relationship going because Darius is busy promoting his new album Live(d) Twice and Natasha has had to remain in LA for movie work.

My spy adds "Because they don't get to see that much of each other, Darius really treasures the images they shot together" Darius recently told me how hard it is to keep a long-distance relationship going.

He said "She's a great girl. It's difficult when I am investing all my love and attention in my family. But Natasha is an amazing woman. It would be safe to say that I've been majorly taken by her".

so if any of you come across Darius' blower, just do the right thing -send it in to me and I'll make sure he gets it back safe.

Poor Darius Danesh. Hes down in the dumps because he never sees his Hollywood star girlfriend Natasha Henstridge. In fact the singers so upset about it, hes considering ending the four month love affair with the 30 year old. Speaking at the launch of the west londons trendiest club, Tryst he told us Shes in LA and I never see her. To be honest I dont really k now how she is because we dont really talk because of the time difference. Shes a great girl but it doesnt seem to be working. Darius, 24, added Im busy too. I ve got a lot on so were really not going anywhere. Looks like it could be time to form an orderly queue ladies.

DARIUS has confirmed he will appear at HMV record stores across the country later this month promoting his comeback single Kinda Love released on October 18. He will be in Oxford on October 18, at Glasgow Braehead on Tuesday, October 19, from 12.30pm and at Edinburgh Princes Street, from 5pm the same day. He will be at Newcastle on October 20 and Gateshead later that day.

West Lothian indie outfit Mydas kicked things off and played a lively set. Songs such as The Epitaph were definitely worth a listen.

Scottish singer/songwriter KT Tunstall was next, her deep voice echoing over the thinly populated street on bluesy songs such as Miniature Disasters.

Stunning Lucie Silvas' set proved lively - the crowd loved her hit What You're Made Of.

The biggest attraction was Pop Idol Darius. New single Kinda Love had a trademark catchy chorus and his latest album's title track Live Twice was written in honour of his father.