Former pop idol contender Darius talks to Kate Thompson about the effect his father's illness has had on him...

DARIUS must be the

ultimate people person.

He was in Southampton recently to sing for a group of deliriously excited competition winners and to promote his new album Live Twice.

The anticipation in the room prior to the arrival of the tallest man in pop was palpable - there was nervous chatter and much checking of cameras to ensure they were going to capture the moment.

And when he finally arrived, Darius could not have been more obliging - he kissed their cheeks, snuggled up for cosy photos and happily chatted while signing autographs.

Naturally gregarious, it seems the singer/songwriter who made his name on Pop Idol just loves to talk.

He started his acoustic set with his No 1 hit Colourblind and then treated his fans to a George Michael cover.

Then the mood changed as he prepared to sing from his new album - and suddenly Darius was in more reflective mood as he revealed the heartache that has shaped his latest songs.

His beloved father Booth - who throughout his singing career has helped to boost him and make him believe in himself - has been diagnosed with cancer.

The disease has left him bed- bound and Darius can't help articulating the injustice he feels seeing his father's life hanging in the balance, when he has done so much to save others.

"There's been a great deal of emotion involved and much of it conflicting. I've wanted revenge, I've felt angry and then I've felt hopeful.

"I just kept asking 'Why my father?' He's a man who saved lives every day, so it just doesn't seem fair," he said.

A gastroenterologist, he was the man who invented the first lung and kidney machine for babies.

At first he thought he was suffering from arthritis and had been self-medicating. But when the pain didn't go away, he underwent tests that revealed he was suffering from non-Hodgkins lymphoma (a form of lymphatic cancer).

Having been told that his father did not have long to live, Darius was determined to spend as much time with him as possible.

He visited the hospital daily and has spent hours talking to his father - eager to gain as much as he can from him in the short time remaining.

"My father is my hero and I have a feeling of gratitude that I have had the time to sit and talk to him and tell him how much I love him," he said.

When he found out about his dad's illness, he was busy writing and recording his new album - but all that went on hold.

"All I was interested in was being with my dad - I wanted to spend every waking moment with him but in the end my dad told me I must not give up on my music and he wanted me to continue with the album," he said.

"The only reason I am in Southampton tonight is because of my father. He told me I shouldn't put everything on hold for him.

"He is fighting to live to see the dreams of his children unfold. I want to make him proud and I hope he will find some sort of emotional solace in the songs I have written," he said.

Live Twice - which he sang for his specially invited Southampton audience - is a ballad about missed opportunities and loss.

Apparently the first time his father heard it, he was moved to tears and the tune clearly touched a few heartstrings when he played it for his Southampton audience.

In the past Darius has been attacked for wearing his heart on his sleeve but his willingness to open up so easily makes him vulnerable too.

"I would rather be vulnerable as a man than tough and untouchable.

"The male ideal is something that has been torn apart and put back together.

"In so many ways I'm just living my life the way I see best," he said.

Throughout the ordeal of recent months, Darius has clearly drawn strength from his family.

He is incredibly close to mum Avril, 51, and younger brothers Aria, 20, and Cyrus, 9. But he admits he had no idea of the depth of emotion they would face dealing with his father's illness.

"The emotions involved in cancer can stay with a family for years - and it's important to express them.

"Cancer is something that riddles the whole family - and no one seems to highlight the effect it has on everyone in the family," he said.

Earlier this year Darius also split up with long-term girlfriend, model Jacqui Ainsley.

He is philosophical about the break and said he needed time to concentrate on his family.

"Right now I'm single. I'm lucky because I have had a few relationships but not as many girlfriends as you would probably think.

"I think relationships and sex are taken far too lightly - I am very much from the old school when it comes to romance.

"I look at my parents and I think they really did get it right.

"Within two weeks of meeting my mother, my dad knew it was right and they should get married.

"And they have been together for 26 years and they have three children," he said.

With the release of Live Twice, Darius now has only one other major date in his diary - December 25.

"We are hoping we will spend Christmas together - it will be a very special family time," he said.