[Amy]

FORMER Pop Idol star Darius says he'll be more nervous performing at today's Mardi Gras in Cardiff as he has to impress his Welsh cousin.

The 24-year-old will attempt to wow the audience with three songs after nearly a year's absence from the charts.

Darius will sing his new single Kinda Love, an exclusive track from his second album Live Twice and his most famous hit Colourblind.

"Hopefully I will bring the weather with me and it will be a good day," said the Scottish singer.

"I'm looking forward to it and hope it goes down well because my cousin will be in the audience."

After working with former Annie Lennox producer Steve Lipson for 11 months on his new material he is very pleased with the results.

"I hope people will like it and I am really looking forward to presenting my new material to people and seeing what the reaction is."

He is also keen to tour again after a set of smaller gigs last year. "I am really looking forward to performing with my band again. Last year the tours were great as they were smaller and more intimate but this should start building up for a whole new tour."

But although he may have replaced his goatee and ponytail during his last comeback with a clean-shaven look, don't expect a radical change in Darius this time round.

"I think as you get older you tend to be much more comfortable with how you are and what you look like," he said.

"Three years ago I was worried about how it might look but now I just wear what is comfortable.

"I love the styles of David Beckham and Jude Law but I haven't been taking tips from anyone."

Article from IC Wales