THERE are so many boy bands in the charts these days that it gets harder and harder to make an impression.

When Blue's debut single entered the UK top ten at number four in May this year it turned a few heads and sold nearly 300,000 copies.

Three months later, when their second single, Too Close, went straight in at number one, Blue, pictured, could be sure they had arrived.

Unfortunately, as lead singer Duncan James, 22, confessed, the terror attacks on the USA meant a last-minute change of plan for a video shoot for their third single.

The video, If You Come Back, was eventually shot in London.

He said: ""We were meant to have shot it in New York and we were all ready to go on the Tuesday morning when the towers got hit.

"It was just horrible. We weren't nearby, so we weren't in any danger, but there was dust everywhere. I don't really want to talk about it. We did want to film in New York because it's got such great scenery but there was no way."

Duncan, from Dorset, first met bandmate Antony Costa at a pool hall three years ago.

When they bumped into each other again on the boy band audition circuit last year, they decided to take their fate into their own hands, contacted some friends and formed Blue.

By January this year they had a record deal and were recording their first single, All Rise, with R 'n' B producers Stargate in the new home of pop music, Norway.

Now he and Antony, 19, from Middlesex, Lee Ryan, 18, from south-east London, and Simon Webbe, 22, from Manchester, have proved themselves more than just one-hit wonders.

Duncan said: "We've worked really hard to get where we are and we've all been trying to make it for years.

"It's weird because it's all happened so quickly - it's been a bit of a helter-skelter. "Our ambition is just to keep making music that people like.

"I think a lot of groups are in it for the celebrity lifestyle, but Blue have only one agenda. We're a vocal group.

"We want to perform decent songs with tough grooves and soulful vocals. At the moment we're number one in Malaysia, number two in Belgium, and number three in Norway."

Blue are visiting Wales to take part in tonight's Showtime at the Stadium concert alongside Steps, Atomic Kitten and Charlotte Church.

And for Duncan it will be a return to his musical roots.

He enthused: "We're doing a song from West Side Story called Something's Coming, but we're doing quite a funky soul version.

"I did a production of it when I did A-level drama at college in Sidmouth. After the band I want to go into musicals full-time - they're what got me singing in the first place."

Duncan has done a stint as a Butlin's resident and as a bingo caller before Blue found fame, but he is more than happy with his current success.

He said: "This is a job where every day there's something different to do -- and it all keeps happening, day after day. We've heard that Elton John is a big fan of the band, which is amazing - unbelieveable, really."

Asked about the effects of fame on his love-life, he chuckled: "You do attract girls when you sing and, like any job, you reap the rewards. Someone got hold of my e-mail address the other day. Now when I get home there's about 50 messages waiting for me - it's really flattering. Some of them are rude, but they're for my eyes only."

All the members of Blue are single at the moment.

"We haven't got time to commit to relationships at the moment because we barely get a minute to ourselves - all our time's committed to the job. But if the right person comes along then maybe."

"I actually had a girlfriend from Pontypridd once. I think Welsh girls are wicked. My ideal woman is probably Britney Spears, but I admit she's way out of my league. I like girls who look really pure and innocent when they're not."

Duncan doesn't live alone, however. He said: "I've got two Yorkshire terriers, Gordon and Poppy, and they're practically married. They've had two litters of pups together and follow each other around."

Blue's third single, If You Come Back, will be released on November 12, and their debut album follows on November 26.

And finally, why Blue?

He replied: "The name Blue doesn't put us in any category and it doesn't scream boy band. Blue makes you feel calm and relaxed and that's what we want our music to do."