DARIUS Danesh was named after a Persian King - but that isn't his only claim to fame.

The Scottish singer is now a household name in his own right thanks to Popstars and Pop Idol.

Despite failing to win either TV talent contest, Darius endeared himself to the nation with his persistence and his 'cheesy' personality.

Earlier this year, he signed a record deal with Mercury and released his first self-penned single, Colourblind, which topped the charts. A second single, Rushes, followed last month and his debut album, Dive In, was released at the start of December.

A tour for next year has now been announced, with a performance at the Bournemouth International Centre on May 11.

"I had no idea it would have such a big effect," says Darius of Popstars, the show that catapulted him to fame two years ago.

Despite his long hair and goatee beard, he managed to get through to the final stages of the show before being knocked out.

Ever resilient, he gave pop stardom a second shot with Pop Idol. Once again, he made it through to the competition's final stages but this time - complete with new image - he managed to grab just as much attention as the eventual winner, Will Young.

"With all the music I like I want to believe the person who's singing," says Darius, who was a big fan of Madonna and Michael Jackson when he was growing up.

"It doesn't affect me if I hear a pop song that's sung by a prepubescent kid who doesn't know what it's really like to fall in love and have your heart broken," he claims.

"Longevity is something important. I've got the fantastic privilege of now being able to release my own material and express the words and melodies that have haunted me in my sleep. I'm over the moon!"

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