Darius World

Darius gets flirty by the sea

ThisIsWiltshire.co.uk May 2003

MAY 24: Pop star Darius Danesh may have been ridiculed for asking on TV "Can you feel the love in this room?" - but I certainly felt it during our phone call.

Originally scheduled to last nine minutes, the conversation still flowed freely half an hour later.

Having expected a tightly regimented interview, it was refreshing to be told: "Fire away and ask me anything."

Travelling on his tour bus to perform in Brighton, the 22-year-old who made his fame on Pop Idol, reflected on life, love and yet more love.

He said: "I have been extremely lucky and am so grateful for all the support. I still don't think I have really made it."

And despite his number one single Colourblind, Darius claims he has yet to prove himself.

His passion for music stems from a desire to express deep feelings.

"I am writing constantly and my songs are inspired by personal experiences," he added.

Darius described how his recent hit Incredible was about an ex- girlfriend who he offended.

He said: "She asked whether I ever loved her and I said `no,' thinking it would make the break easier. Instead she thought I never cared for her and the truth was far from that. Incredible is about saying the things you don't really mean."

A self-confessed romantic, Darius believes you cannot buy love.

"Romance is not a box of chocolates. It could be a walk on the beach, a whisper in the ear. It is so special and beyond a simple definition," he added.

Currently single, Darius declared that he isn't looking for love.

Yet there is a flirtatious twist to this alleged indifference.

He joked: "If you look, you don't find. Romance happens when least expected. Girls are like buses - none for ages, then they all come at once."

Looking 10 years ahead, Darius hopes to be happily married with a family.

Inner beauty and sensitivity are the attributes he looks for most in a woman.

"There has to be more than just physical attraction. Obviously good looks help, but I have met some really stunning people who I could not have a lasting relationship with," Darius revealed.

Describing former flames, he said they tend to be either really outgoing or extremely shy.

As for duets of a musical nature, Darius fancies singing with Oasis front man, Liam Gallagher.

He said: "We could do a good cop, bad cop double act. It would be great."

Since signing with Mercury Records last year, Darius already has a debut album, Dive In, under his belt and is now working on his second.

So he has certainly come a long way since his cringe worthy rendition of Britney Spears' Hit Me Baby One More Time, inflicted on viewers of the TV talent show Popstars.

Undeterred by mass public derision, Darius returned to face the music again in Pop Idol.

"I was very lucky to get through and learnt so much from the experience. I appreciated the judge's honesty and don't hold any grudges. After all they gave me a second chance," he said.

Ever-modest Darius also credited his brother, eight-year-old Cyrus with his success.

He confided: "Cyrus is my style guru. He told me to get rid of the goatie beard. He is brilliant and keeps me up to date on all the latest trends."

Still based in his home-city Glasgow, Darius remains very close to his family.

He said: "I listen to my parents. They keep my feet firmly on the ground."

Well that's not strictly true, because he has just been scuba diving with his other brother Aria, 18, in Mauritius. A water baby at heart, Darius is also a qualified lifeguard.

"I love chilling out in the water and used to teach swimming. Relaxation isn't just about picking up a guitar," he insisted. Although Darius can drive, he has yet to buy a car. Instead he has treated himself to a Ducati motorbike. He said: "That is my one big extravagance. I am too busy to go shopping."

Also a keen cook, Darius waxed lyrical about Italian food. He even composed his last supper prawn tagliatelle for starters, lasagne with a fresh thyme and olive salad for main followed by amaretto ice cream for dessert.

Asked what Swindon means to him, Darius replied: "A great Chinese."

Apparently he passed through the town recently on his national tour.

"I can't remember what the restaurant was called, but the food was top notch," he added.

By now the tour bus has arrived in Brighton and Darius is admiring the view. He enthused: "Wow! The sun is shining. This is fantastic."

And with that, he has to stop chatting and attend a photo shoot in The Grand hotel. "Great speaking to you. You really know how to cheer up someone's weekend," Darius added.

The feeling was entirely mutual.