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How Gerard Butler became Darius Campbell Danesh’s closest confident before his death

Hollywood actor Gerard Butler became one of the people closest to Darius Campbell Danesh in the months before his tragic death on Saturday – with the pair bonding over their Scottish roots. 

The former Pop Idol contestant and theatre star, 41, who was found unresponsive in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, on Saturday had bonded with the Hollywood actor and director after meeting in the US – and realising they were born just ten miles apart. 

One of the last photos of Darius, whose death remains unexplained as his family await toxicology reports, showed the pair enjoying a barefoot beach stroll close to the P.S I Love You star’s home in Malibu on June 10th. 

Far from home and divorced from his Canadian wife Natasha Henstridge since 2018, it’s no wonder Darius turned to friends with a similar background such as Butler – who’s been dating Morgan Brown on an off since 2014 – for support. 

It’s thought that Darius and Butler may have been introduced by Rod Stewart who has regularly hosted parties for famous Scots living in LA. Line of Duty star Martin Compston was spotted celebrating with fellow Celtic fan Rod Stewart at a Las Vegas gig. 

And in March this year, the friends made a nostalgic trip back to Glasgow together, spending time at a local barbers in the city, who yesterday expressed his devastation at the loss of the home-grown star. 

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Former Pop Idol contestant Darius, 41, who was found dead in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, on Saturday, shared a close friendship with fellow Scottish star Gerard Butler; the pair are pictured enjoying a stroll together in Malibu on June 11th, close to Butler's LA home

Former Pop Idol contestant Darius, 41, who was found dead in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, on Saturday, shared a close friendship with fellow Scottish star Gerard Butler; the pair are pictured enjoying a stroll together in Malibu on June 11th, close to Butler’s LA home

Taylor Ferguson, a hairdresser in Glasgow, revealed yesterday that Darius and Butler had made a recent visit to the salon

Taylor Ferguson, a hairdresser in Glasgow, revealed yesterday that Darius and Butler had made a recent visit to the salon 

The pair, seen walking barefoot after their beach stroll, bonded over their Scottish roots, born just 10 miles apart, with Butler born in Paisley and Darius born in nearby Glasgow

The pair, seen walking barefoot after their beach stroll, bonded over their Scottish roots, born just 10 miles apart, with Butler born in Paisley and Darius born in nearby Glasgow

It's thought Darius and Butler may have had a very famous friendship matchmaker - Sir Rod Stewart, who's invited famous Scots to his concerts in the US

It’s thought Darius and Butler may have had a very famous friendship matchmaker – Sir Rod Stewart, who’s invited famous Scots to his concerts in the US

Darius, who was married to Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge, whose films include sci-fi hit Species, from 2011-2018, spent the last 15 years of his life in the US as his career blossomed across the Pond. 

While based on the east coast of the US, Darius would frequently make the five-hour flight from his home in Rochester, Minnesota to spend time with his fellow Scot Butler at his Malibu home.

During a video clip taken of the friends during their beach trip in June, they appear relaxed in each others’ company as they make their way off the beach and towards a car. 

The Pop Idol star donned a baker boy style flat cap and cream trousers with braces, while a more casual Butler wore a pale blue polo shirt and a pair of jeans.

Butler has an on-off relationship with girlfriend Morgan Brown; the pair began dating in 2014 but broke up in 2016, only to get back together the following summer. 

They split again during the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, but have been spotted together again more recently and are thought to be currently happily dating. 

While Butler, who found fame as Spartan King Leonidas in the 2006 film 300, was born in the town of Paisley, just ten miles west of Glasgow, but grew up in Elderslie, Renfrewshire. 

Darius, separated from Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge, enjoyed a close friendship with fellow Scot Gerard Butler - and it's thought may have been introduced to his fellow countrymen by Rod Stewart

Darius, separated from Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge, enjoyed a close friendship with fellow Scot Gerard Butler – and it’s thought may have been introduced to his fellow countrymen by Rod Stewart

In a tribute to the former Pop Idol star he said: 'Our hearts are broken. We knew Darius from back in his Pop Idol and he became a family friend. He was a regular in the salon - most recently he popped in with his friend Gerard Butler.'

In a tribute to the former Pop Idol star he said: ‘Our hearts are broken. We knew Darius from back in his Pop Idol and he became a family friend. He was a regular in the salon – most recently he popped in with his friend Gerard Butler.’

Last photo: Darius pictured attending a concert by Rod Stewart at the Hollywood Bowl onJune 14th

Last photo: Darius pictured attending a concert by Rod Stewart at the Hollywood Bowl onJune 14th 

Meanwhile, Darius was born in Glasgow – to a Scottish mother, Avril Campbell, and his Iranian father, Booth Danesh – and spent his childhood in Bearsden on the city’s north-westerly outskirts. 

In March, both men appeared to travel back to Glasgow to enjoy a nostalgic trip down memory lane, posing with local hairdresser Taylor Ferguson and stylists at the popular barbers in the city.

Yesterday, stylist Ferguson posted photos of the two friends visiting the salon in March, saying: ‘Devastated at the shocking news of the sudden death of our dearly loved friend Darius. Only 41. Our hearts are broken. We knew Darius from back in his Pop Idol and he became a family friend. 

‘He was a regular in the salon – most recently he popped in with his friend Gerard Butler. He always caused a stir – sometimes singing for our clients…always super kind and generous. He’d buy the team lunch. We’d listen to his latest stories and learn about his projects – and his love life. He was a gem.’

Pop Idol's Gareth Gates, Hayley Evetts, Darius, Zoe Birkett and Will Young at a film premiere in London on January 17, 2002

Pop Idol’s Gareth Gates, Hayley Evetts, Darius, Zoe Birkett and Will Young at a film premiere in London on January 17, 2002 

Ferguson added that Darius had also been a guest at his son and daughter-in-law’s wedding, when he was riding high in the charts with Colourblind, saying that the family had played the song during a party last week, saying: ‘So painfully sad to learn that he’d died on that very day.’ 

Darius’ career had flourished in the US, with the star working on a new documentary, ‘American Dreamland’ at the time of his untimely death.   

A heartbreaking police dispatch call released today revealed the moment Darius was found unresponsive in an apartment block opposite the world-famous Mayo Clinic hospital.

His family announced his death yesterday, five days after he was discovered in his bed in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11.

Rochester Police Department said it responded to a ‘deceased person call’ at 11.53am on August 11 at The Berkman, and the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office identified the person as Darius.

Darius’s friend pays tribute to Pop Idol star as she lays flowers at his family home in Glasgow 

A close friend of Darius Campbell-Danesh today paid tribute to the Pop Idol star as she laid flowers at his family home in Glasgow.

Anne Ferguson said she had ‘no words’ to describe her sadness at the Scottish singer and actor’s sudden death.

Her celebrity hairdresser husband Taylor Ferguson had worked with Darius for two decades – and they met again and were pictured together in March this year when Darius visited his Glasgow salon with showbiz friend Gerard Butler.

Anne Ferguson arrives to leave flowers at Darius's family home in Glasgow today

Anne Ferguson arrives to leave flowers at Darius’s family home in Glasgow today

With tears running down her face, Mrs Ferguson told MailOnline today: ‘It’s just so awful. There are no words. I cannot describe how sad I feel.’

Mrs Ferguson told how she first became friends with Darius after her husband cut the young performer’s hair ahead of his first Pop Idol performance.

She said: ‘My husband Taylor cut Darius’ hair just before he went on Pop Idol and we stayed friends ever since.

Anne Ferguson and Darius at a fashion event in London in 2011

Anne Ferguson and Darius at a fashion event in London in 2011

‘His song Colourblind hit number one on the day of our son’s wedding but Darius still found time to come to the wedding.

‘On Thursday we were celebrating our son’s 20th wedding anniversary and we played Darius’ tune again. I cannot believe he died that same day.

‘I send all my love to his mum and dad and his brothers. It’s so sad.’

Darius (left) is pictured with Glasgow-based hair stylist Taylor Ferguson (centre) and actor Gerard Butler (right) in March

Darius (left) is pictured with Glasgow-based hair stylist Taylor Ferguson (centre) and actor Gerard Butler (right) in March

Mrs Ferguson’s husband Taylor also paid tribute to Darius and told how he was ‘devastated’.

According to the Daily Record, Mr Ferguson said: ‘Devastated at the shocking news of the sudden death of our dearly loved friend Darius. Only 41. Our hearts are broken. We knew Darius from back in his Pop Idol days and he became a family friend.

‘We celebrated our son and daughter-in-law’s 20th wedding anniversary last Thursday. That date coincided with the 20th anniversary of Darius getting his first number one with Colourblind.

‘Indeed Darius came to the wedding and all the guests toasted his chart success – and of course we danced to the track.’

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