Darius Danesh, star of both ITV’s Pop Idol and Pop Stars, will make his West End debut as sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago at the Adelphi theatre. The charismatic singer/songwriter, who scored a number one hit with Colourblind, will join the cast for eight weeks, running from 21 November until 14 January.

Danesh first found fame in the inaugural series of Pop Stars, when his long hair, bohemian attitude and ‘quirky’ rendition of Britney Spears’s Hit Me Baby One More Time drew him to the attention of both the judges and the British public. Not making it into the band first time around, he swallowed his pride and entered the 2001/2 series of Pop Idol. Though he didn’t win, he finished an impressive third, going on to launch a successful career in music that has seen him release two hit albums and perform sell-out tours.

Danesh joins Sally Ann Triplett, Amra-Faye Wright and Victor McGuire, who will all continue in their current roles until 28 January 2006.

Danesh’s arrival at the Adelphi could be seen as a birthday present for Chicago, as the production will be eight years old three days before his arrival. The tale of two murderous showgirls who use infamy to court fame, opened at the Strand venue on 18 November 1997, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production the following year. Since then the show has starred a plethora of household names, including Denise van Outen, Claire Sweeney, Jennifer Ellison, Michael Greco, Alison Moyet, Gabby Roslin and David Hasselhoff. It currently stars Wonder Woman Lynda Carter as prison officer Mama Morton.

But turning eight just is not enough of a landmark to please the people of Chicago, for they have one more thing to celebrate. Just yesterday, Chicago celebrated becoming the longest running production ever at the Adelphi, passing the 3,303 performances of previous record holder Me And My Girl.

Scots singer confounds his critics yet again as he gets set to make his West End debut in hit musical Chicago.

WHEN he first appeared on our screens it seemed his ambition far outstripped his talent. But now it looks as though Darius's faith in his own abilities has paid off.

With two albums and a number one single to his name, the Scots singer is set to 'razzle dazzle' us when he makes his West End debut in the hit musical Chicago. Darius, 25, will take the role of sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn, a role that resurrected fellow Scot Marti Pellow's career several years ago.

This acting debut will mark a renaissance for Darius who took time out from his singing career to nurse his sick father who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But, incredibly, 18 months after the diagnosis, his father is in full remission and Darius has decided to resume his career.

He made his tv debut on the reality show Pop Stars. But his goatee beard, ponytail and cheesy mutterings made him a laughing stock and he was voted offthe show well before the winners were announced. But, in an astonishing display of raw determination, Darius recovered from national humiliation on Pop Stars to reach the Pop Idol finals, finishing third behind Will Young and Gareth Gates. Despite not winning, he vowed on the show to have a number one single and record a hit album. The prophecy was fulfilled - he had a number one single, Colourblind, and has since recorded two hit albums, Dive In and Live Twice. He also lived the rock'n' r o l l lifestyle dating model Jacqui Ainsley and current girlfriend, actress Natasha Henstridge.

But his career was put on hold last year when his 63-year- old father, Booth Danesh, a surgeon from Bearsden, Glasgow, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was given only months to live and Darius pulled out of recording a third album. Mr Danesh even 'died' for a short time when his heart stopped and family thought it was the end. But Mr Danesh's heart restarted and, supported supported by his wife Avril, 48, Darius and his brothers Aria, 20, and and Cyrus, ten, is making a full recovery.

Yesterday, Darius announced the rebirth of his career with these sultry stills from the musical Chicago. He will play lawyer Billy Flynn for an eight-week season at London' s Adelphi Theatre beginning on November 21. With his tanned complexion and 6ft 4in frame, he is a perfect choice to play the charismatic scoundrel.

Darius is not the first Scot to tread the boards in the landmark musical. Last year Marti Pellow played Flynn on Broadway in a move that marked a significant milestone in his long fightback from drug addiction. And the fallen star's return to prominence paved the way for a comeback for group Wet Wet Wet, who released their first single after seven years. Marti also won critical acclaim for the role in Glasgow, Dublin, Liverpool and Tokyo. Chicago will celebrate its eighth anniversary in London in November where it has picked up numerous awards including the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical production.

Currently playing in New York and on tour in America, Chicago is produced in the U. S. by the Broadway producers Barry and Fran Weissler

Darius has cocked a snook* at his critics by bouncing back into the limelight.

He is following in the footsteps of Marti Pello and Sacha Distel to play crooked lawyer Billy Flyn in the West End production of Chicago.

He will be sharing the stage with TV icon Lynda Carter who played Wonder Woman in the eighties. Going on to star in musicals ia a canny move for Dariuswho is yet another reality star dropped by his record label.

He is a true showman and will be in his element in this sexy, sassy show which is all fishnet stockings and dirty dancing.

He will be able to smoulder away to his heart's content six nights a week and twice on Wednesdayd and Saturdays. Food luck to him.

(*I am sure I am not alone in being prepared to pay good money for a glimpse of Darius actually cocking his snook)

DARIUS Danesh puts on his best poker face to unveil his new career move - a West End stage debut as crooked lawyer Billy Flynn in musical Chicago. The 25-year-old ex-Pop Idol finalist will begin an eight-week run at the Adelphi Theatre in London on November 21.

The role has previously been played by former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, Wet Wet Wet star Marti Pellow and French crooner Sacha Distel.

Darius, from Bearsden, near Glasgow, shot to fame in 2001 with his famously awful rendition of Britney Spears's Hit Me Baby One More Time.

After a Pop Idol comeback, he went on to launch a solo career. His single Colourblind reached No 1 in 2002.

But his second album flopped and he was dropped by his label earlier this year. Chicago will celebrate its eighth anniversary on November 18.

It is the Adelphi's longest- running show, beating previous record holder Me And My Girl

Former 'Pop Idol' finalist Darius Danesh is set to star in a West End production of the hit musical 'Chicago'.

The 25-year-old singer will play the part of lawyer Billy Flynn in the production running at the Adelphi Theatre in London.

Danesh will star opposite 'Wonder Woman' actress Lynda Carter during his eight week run, commencing on 21 November.

The singer had a number one hit with his single 'Colourblind' in 2002, after competing in both 'Popstars' and 'Pop Idol'.

Former Pop Idol finalist Darius Danesh is to play crooked lawyer Billy Flynn in West End musical Chicago.

David Hasselhoff, Marti Pellow and French crooner Sacha Distel have all played the role in the past at London's Adelphi Theatre.

Darius, 25, will begin an eight-week run on November 21, joining Wonder Woman actress Lynda Carter. This will be his West End stage debut.

The Scottish singer shot to fame in 2001 with his famously awful rendition of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time.

He made a comeback in Pop Idol and went on to launch a solo career, scoring a number one with single Colourblind in 2002.

But his second album flopped and he was dropped by his label earlier this year.

Chicago will celebrate its eighth anniversary on November 18. It is the Adelphi's longest-running show, replacing previous record holder Me And My Girl.