THE Carling Apollo, Manchester, has announced that Glasgow-born solo star Darius will be playing there next May as part of his debut UK tour.

The Pop Idol finalist's highly anticipated debut album, "Dive In", was released earlier this month and reviewed in our music review page, and has entered the top ten this week.

Darius has been busy in the studio for the last few months, laying down tracks with producers the Misfits, Mike Hedges and The Matrix. The 12 tracks on "Dive In" were all co-written by Darius and he also played acoustic guitar on a number of the tracks. The album features his No 1 single, "Colourblind" and his latest single, "Rushes".

Darius made his mark on the nation with his show-stopping appearances on ITV1's 'Pop Idol' contest. His good looks, charm and unmistakable voice have catapulted him into the limelight and have helped make Darius one of the most exciting new talents from the UK in recent years.

Name checked by everyone from Liam Gallagher to Lionel Richie, Darius is living proof that dreams can come true. He signed to Mercury Records earlier this year, and his debut single "Colourblind" stormed the UK singles charts at No 1. It stayed at the top for two weeks, even keeping George Michael and Britney Spears off the No 1 spot.

Catch Darius live at the Carling Apollo, Manchester on Saturday, May 17, 2003. Tickets are priced at £18.50, and are on sale from 9am Thursday, December 12, 2002, from the Box Office on 0870 401 8000 or usual agents.