Simon Cowell leads Darius Danesh Campbell tributes

Music mogul Simon Cowell tonight led the tributes to Pop Idol icon Darius Campbell Danesh hours after his family  revealed the theatre star died after he was found unresponsive in his bed at the age of 41. 

The showbiz world was shocked by news of the passing of the singer and actor who was found dead in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 – although the cause of death remains unknown.

Police have said there were ‘no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances’ as they probe the death of the late Pop Idol star.

Mr Cowell, 63, first crossed paths with the late singer when he finished third place on Pop Idol in 2002 as he released a statement honouring the star tonight, who passed exactly 20 years after he topped the charts with Colourblind.

Darius famously turned down a record deal from Simon but the two have remained friendly over the years and recently reunited at an X Factor party and taping. It was also revealed the late star recently visited Simon’s home in Malibu for the evening to attend the party and judges’ homes taping.

Simon told MailOnline: ‘I first saw Darius on television over 20 years ago and I got to know him really well. He was charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with. 

‘His passing, for someone so young, is an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to his family and friends.’

Sources close to Darius claim he had been hugely ‘excited’ for an apparent Pop Idol reunion – and UK comeback tour – just weeks before he died.

Stars of the show, including Queen singer and American Idol winner Adam Lambert, were due to be invited back with Thames TV filming at the Criterion Theatre in the West End, reports the Sun.

Danesh made his first bid for fame in ITV show Popstars in 2001 with his quirky rendition of Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time.  

He did not make it into the band but the following year appeared on the first Pop Idol, which was won by Will Young, with Darius finishing third behind another household name in Gareth Gates.

The Scottish performer went on to forge a successful theatre 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.

He lived in the US and had been in a relationship with Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge. The couple married in 2011 at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California, but had since divorced. 

A family statement said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh. Darius was found unresponsive in bed in his apartment room in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 and was pronounced dead in the afternoon by the local medical examiners’ office.

‘The local police department have confirmed that there were no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances. The cause of his sudden death is unknown at this stage while medical examinations continue.

‘We ask that you kindly respect our wishes for privacy at this time whilst we come to terms with the tragic loss of our son and brother.’

Despite finishing in third place on Pop Idol, X-Factor icon Mr Cowell clearly saw Darius’ star quality and still offered him a deal, but the star claimed it was the ‘obvious choice’ to reject it. 

Darius previously told Hello of that incident: ‘When Simon Cowell offered me a contract and I turned it down, it seemed like the obvious thing to do. I understand why people thought I was mad to do it, but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have a number one with Colourblind.

‘I would just have been doing covers and then nobody would have heard of me ever again. I’m so lucky to be able to do what I love without having to beat to the drum of having someone else telling you what to wear and how to act.’

Following the news that the Scottish singer had passed away, a slew of stars took to social media to offer their sympathies, including Lorraine Kelly, Adele Roberts and Rylan. 

His Popstars alumni Jessica Pietersen and Michelle Heaton – who featured on the show in 2001 – were also among those stars paying tribute following the tragic news.

Singer Myleen Klass, who also shot to fame on Popstars with her band Hear’Say, posted following his tragic passing and honoured him with a throwback image, titled: ‘Back where it all began.’ 

Gareth Gates, 38, who also appeared on Pop Idol in 2002 where he pipped the late star to second place, honoured Darius with a heartfelt post after his tragic death was confirmed by relatives in an emotional statement today.

He said: ‘I can’t quite believe the news of my dear friend Darius passing. I’m heartbroken. 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.

‘I will miss our chats. He was one of the most beautiful, intelligent and gentle souls I was lucky enough to know, a soul that lit up every room. Goodbye my friend. For ever in my heart.’

Darius first shot to fame when he appeared on Popstars in 2001 before going on to defy critics and enjoy a successful music and theatre career.

In a performance regarded by most as cringey when it aired at the time, Darius garnered attention for his cover of Britney Spears’s Hit Me Baby One More Time sporting his memorable ponytail and goatee on the ITV talent show.

After Pop Idol in 2002, Danesh 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.

As the accolades began pouring in for the acclaimed singer and songwriter’s career, his first solo album Dive In went platinum, while his first West End stage appearance came as Billy Flynn in the iconic Chicago.

He lived in the US and found love with Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge, whose films include sci-fi hit Species.

The couple married in 2011 at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California, but were divorced a few years later. He previously told the Scottish Herald: ‘That relationship was certainly not without its ups and downs. Over the course of 12 years, we broke up many times and had a period of six months apart

‘It was often a long-distance relationship for half of it. That in itself was an amazing experience, but a painful one. When you love someone you want to be with them.’ 

And in 2010, he spoke to Hello! magazine about a car crash in which he broke his neck. The singer had been a passenger in a Porsche when it hit a wall at 70mph after skidding on oil during a sunshine break in Spain.

Darius was left seriously ill in 2017 when he collapsed and went into a near-fatal coma after drinking from the River Thames while promoting water filters for the Frech2o safe drinking charity. 

After collapsing with bacterial meningitis and severe brain swelling the Glaswegian was placed in a coma, waking to find his mother Avril Danesh – herself undergoing chemo and radiotherapy for breast cancer – in tears at his bedside. 

Following his third-placed finish in Pop Idol, he went on to win the first series of ITV’s Popstar To Operastar contest, beating Bernie Nolan of the Nolan Sisters in a close final.

A few months after his win on the ITV show, which featured Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins and Mexican-born tenor Rolando Villazon as judges, he landed his first major opera role as he was cast in a new production of Carmen at London’s O2 Arena.

He took on the principal role of toreador Escamillo in the production, for a one-off performance which marked the first ever opera at the venue at the time.

Darius later cemented his creative credentials after working as the co-executive director on the Daniel Radcliffe thriller Imperium in 2016, then Tomorrow in 2018.

The singer made friends along the way, being pictured with actors including fellow Scot Gerard Butler in June this year. In 2019, he was pictured enjoying a low-key stroll with unlikely pal actress Rebel Wilson in Portofino, Italy.

In 2011, speaking about reprising the role of Chicago’s scheming lawyer Flynn, he said he had based his portrayal of the character on his old mentor and Pop Idol judge, Simon Cowell.

Campbell starred opposite Ugly Betty star America Ferrera in the musical set in prohibition-era Chicago, and said: ‘He’s the consummate businessman and a wonderful guy and there’s a lot of Simon Cowell in Billy Flynn in terms of the way he approaches things and I recognise that in terms of the character.’

He credited Cowell with persuading him to take on the role in Chicago in the first place.

He said: ‘I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve had and all the opportunities that it opened up and to be able to call Simon Cowell a friend and to be able to have dinner with him.’

Darius had also been an ambassador for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.

Campbell Danesh was born in Glasgow to a Scottish mother and Iranian father. The eldest of three boys, he attended Bearsden Primary School before studying English literature and philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.

Although he found fame as Darius Danesh, he later changed his name to incorporate his mother Avril’s maiden name, Campbell, after an emotional visit to his grandfather in a Paisley nursing home made him reflect on his Scottish heritage.

He became a supporter of cancer charities including Cancer Research UK after both his parents were diagnosed with cancer and recovered.

He also made a foray into Hollywood as a co-executive producer on the horror film Imperium starring Daniel Radcliffe in 2016. 

‘This is so sad!’ Rylan Clark and Adele Roberts lead celebrities paying tribute to Darius Campbell after the Pop Idol star was found dead aged 41

By Laura Fox for MailOnline

Celebrities have paid tribute to Pop Idol star Darius Campbell after he was found dead in his apartment at the age of 41.

Following the news that the Scottish singer had passed away, a slew of stars took to social media to offer their sympathies, including Adele Roberts and Rylan.

Darius, who starred on Noughties favourites Popstars and Pop Idol, was found dead in his apartment in Minnesota five days ago, and his passing was confirmed by his family in 

Adele Roberts tweeted: ‘This is so sad. Thinking of Darius’ family and friends,’ while Rylan posted: ‘Proper sad about Darius.’

Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar also posted: ‘Sad news of Darius’ shockingly untimely passing. He was a guest on The Kumars and couldn’t have been a nicer, warmer guest with a great sense of self deprecation.’ 

Darius’ death was announced by his family in a statement after he was found dead in his US apartment room at the age of 41.

The singer and actor was found in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 – although the cause of death remains unknown.

A statement said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh. Darius was found unresponsive in bed in his apartment room in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 and was pronounced dead in the afternoon by the local medical examiners’ office.

‘The local police department have confirmed that there were no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances. The cause of his sudden death is unknown at this stage while medical examinations continue.

‘We ask that you kindly respect our wishes for privacy at this time whilst we come to terms with the tragic loss of our son and brother.’

The Scottish 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.

He went on to forge 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.

He lived in the US and found love with Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge, whose films include sci-fi hit Species.

The couple married in 2011 at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California, but were divorced a few years later.

In 2010, he spoke to Hello! magazine about a car crash in which he broke his neck.

The singer had been a passenger in a Porsche when it hit a wall at 70mph after skidding on oil during a sunshine break in Spain.

After coming third in Pop Idol in 2010, he went on to win the first series of ITV’s Popstar To Operastar contest, beating Bernie Nolan of the Nolan Sisters in a close final.

A few months after his win on the ITV show, which featured Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins and Mexican-born tenor Rolando Villazon as judges, he landed his first major opera role as he was cast in a new production of Carmen at London’s O2 Arena.

He took on the principal role of toreador Escamillo in the production, for a one-off performance which marked the first ever opera at the venue at the time.

In 2011, speaking about reprising the role of Chicago’s scheming lawyer Flynn, he said he had based his portrayal of the character on his old mentor and Pop Idol judge, Simon Cowell.

Campbell starred opposite Ugly Betty star America Ferrera in the musical set in prohibition-era Chicago, and said: ‘He’s the consummate businessman and a wonderful guy and there’s a lot of Simon Cowell in Billy Flynn in terms of the way he approaches things and I recognise that in terms of the character.’

He credited Cowell with persuading him to take on the role in Chicago in the first place.

He said: ‘I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve had and all the opportunities that it opened up and to be able to call Simon Cowell a friend and to be able to have dinner with him.’