Moment Darius Campbell Danesh serenaded Phones4U boss’ housebound mother

This is the sweet moment Darius Campbell Danesh sang at a memorial service for Phones4U founder John Caudwell’s mother in one of his final performances months before his death.

The Pop Idol star – who found dead in Rochester, Minnesota, aged 41 – performed a personal rendition of Hallelujah at the service for Beryl Joan Caudwell, 98, in April.

He also visited her several times while she was housebound following a stroke in 2003, performing the likes of Nessun Dorma and Nat King Cole’s Smile. 

Mr Cauldwell, 69, has posted a series of videos on Instagram of Darius’s performances both at her bedside and at the memorial service as he paid tribute to the star.

The billionaire claimed Darius, who was living in the US ahead of his recent death, flew back from America to sing a ‘spine-tingling rendition’ of Hallelujah at Beryl’s celebration of life.

Darius’ death was announced by his family on Tuesday, five days after he was discovered unresponsive in his bed in Rochester. He was slated to perform at Mr Caudwell’s birthday in two months time.

The Scottish born performer was living at The Berkman apartments, a two-year-old building situated opposite the world-famous Mayo Clinic hospital, when he died. 

It is yet not known whether Darius had any link to the Mayo Clinic and Rochester police said the ‘investigation into the cause of his death is still pending.’

Mr Caudwell, who said he was ‘shocked and devastated’ by Darius’ death, is just one of several celebrities who have paid tribute to the late star.

The billionaire said he was ‘lucky to know Darius,’ nothing how he was one of Beryl’s favourite singers.

‘When Mum passed away earlier this year, it meant the world to me and the family to have Darius sing at her memorial service, a spine-tingling rendition of Hallelujah. He flew back specially from America for it,’ Mr Caudwell penned on Tuesday afternoon. 

‘That was only four months ago, and in less than two months, Darius was due to perform at my own 70th birthday party.

‘I cannot believe that this vibrant young man is now gone. He always seemed the picture of good health and good cheer, amazingly kind and amazingly talented. A man with a huge heart.’ 

He added: ‘In the many years that Mum was housebound, Darius visited her several times to serenade her in her bedroom. Mum would join in while beaming ear to ear. 

‘I was lucky to know Darius, who was one of my mother’s favourite singers.’ 

The businessman and philanthropist also shared a video of one of Darius’ bedside visits during which he serenaded Beryl with his own renditions of Giacomo Puccini’s aria Nessun Dorma and Nat King Cole’s smile.

‘I want you to think of all the love that is here for you,’ Darius is heard telling Beryl. 

The Pop Idol contestant also sang Hallelujah at Beryl’s celebration of life, however he changed one lyric to reflect his condolences to her loved ones. 

‘As we say goodbye and remember you, John and Brian friends and family too, grateful to our souls that we all knew ya,’ he sang. 

Former Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman joined in remembering Darius on Wednesday, saying the singer ‘could have gone on to be bigger than Michael Buble’.

Waterman, who was a friend of the Glasgow-born star who would have turned 42 on August 19, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: ‘I met him a week before lockdown and we were talking about me going to work with him in the States to mentor him because he wanted to get back into music.

‘Darius could have gone on to be bigger than Michael Buble because he’d got that talent.’

Speaking about their friendship, hit-making record producer Waterman said: ‘We became great friends because I did champion him.

‘He was the most lovely person. He never called me Pete. He always called me Peter.

‘At 41, my heart goes out to his family because it’s terrible losing a sibling. He was just brilliant.

‘The word gentleman is overused but not in Darius’ case. So quiet, so polite, so gentle, I guess he was the perfect person. So gentle. No cross words. He didn’t get angry.’

The singer-songwriter and actor – who was known as Darius Danesh when he made his first bid for fame in ITV show Popstars in 2001 – also appeared on the first Pop Idol, which was won by Will Young.

Presenting duo and former Pop Idol hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly also remembered the singer, tweeting: ‘We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh at such a tragically young age.

‘We had many laughs with him on his Pop Idol journey. Our hearts go out to his lovely family. £RIP’ followed by a praying hands emoji.

After Pop Idol, Darius turned down Simon Cowell’s offer of a record deal and signed with producer Steve Lillywhite, whose credits include U2 and the Rolling Stones.

His debut single, Colourblind, was released in July 2002 and went straight to number one, marking the start of a run of top 10 releases.

Following his death the song has re-entered music charts and on Wednesday morning was listed in the first spot on the iTunes download chart.

He also forged a successful stage career, appearing in Chicago as Billy Flynn in two runs of the production, as well as Guys And Dolls, Gone With The Wind and more in the West End.

Waterman also spoke to BBC Breakfast to pay tribute to Campbell Danesh saying: ‘He really was what you saw on television, he was just so talented, but so polite…’.

Other Pop Idol alumni remembered the star with runner-up Gareth Gates saying he was ‘heartbroken’ at the news, adding: ‘Darius took me under his wing during our time in Pop Idol, like a big brother; always looking out for me and for that I thank you my friend.’

Music mogul Cowell said the singer’s death was a ‘tragedy’, saying: ‘He was charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with.’