Darius Danesh

POP Idol contestant Darius Campbell Danesh has died at the age of 41, his family announced today.The star, who went on to perform in the theatre after.

There is no known threat to the public." 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." He said of Cowell: "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 his mentor with persuading him to take on the role in Chicago in the first place. "I will miss our chats. 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.

Scottish Colourblind singer Darius Campbell-Danesh, who shot to fame after appearing on UK TV talent show Popstars, has died aged 41. Here's everything we ...

He was in tears at the end of it, as well. Darius Campbell-Danesh was married to Natasha Henstridge, a Canadian actress famous for her role in Species, in a secret ceremony back in 2011. He was the first winner of ITV’s Popstar to Operastar series in 2010. "He said to me, 'I am proud of you. But Darius Campbell reflects that I am Scottish.” He was then voted on to the finals of Pop Idol the following year but turned down a record deal with music mogul Simon Cowell. The book was a Sunday Times sixth best seller. According to Press Association, the former Pop Idol contestant and theatre star Darius Campbell Danesh has been found dead in his US apartment at the age of 41, his family announced. “It turned out I had a cerebral oedema where your brain swells bigger than your skull. He sang it in such a way it brought tears to my eyes. They diagnosed it quickly.” Elsewhere, Darius has appeared on stage in the role of Warden in From Here to Eternity the Musical, and Nick Arnstein in Funny Girl.

The 41-year-old who also enjoyed a successful theatre career, was found dead in his US apartment.

Darius Danesh family issue statement after death Darius Danesh family issue statement after sudden death of Pop Idol star The family of Darius Campbell Danesh have asked one thing of fans after announcing the death of the former Pop Idial star.

The singer, 41, starred on 2002 talent show Pop Idol before having a string of hits and stage roles.

In an interview with Hello! magazine the same year, the star revealed he had been in a car crash in Spain, which had left him with a broken neck. "I came back with a willingness to learn from my mistakes and to simply share my voice and love of music," he added. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh," they said in a statement. You know, that doesn't inspire me." The final was watched by more than 13 million people. Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar tweeted: "Sad news of Darius' shockingly untimely passing.

Darius shot to fame when he auditioned for Popstars by singing Britney Spears' hit Baby One More Time, but was turned away by judges who called him a 'show ...

Such a sweet guy." Another added: "So sad to hear about Darius and just a year older than me. A third fan chimed: "I’m so shocked. Rest in Peace Darius". A statement read: "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. "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 singer was found dead in his US apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, on 11 August - but his cause of death is not yet known.

Thoughts are with his family at this sad time." My thoughts and prayers go out to his family." He was a terrific human being. TV and radio presenter Nicki Chapman, who starred as a judge on Popstars while Campbell Danesh was a contestant, described him as a true gent with a kind soul and a mischievous twinkle in his eye". He credited Cowell with persuading him to take on the role in the first place, saying he was "incredibly grateful" for his the opportunities he had been given and "to be able to call Simon Cowell a friend". "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 said.

Darius Campbell Danesh, the “Pop Idol” runner-up and West End Star has died, police said. He was 41.

A spokesperson for the Rochester Police Department told Variety his death is currently the subject of “an open investigation.” ITV, the network which broadcast both “Popstars” and “Pop Idol,” also released a statement, saying: “Darius was a much loved and memorable part of both the ‘Popstars’ and ‘Pop Idol’ series, and our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time.” “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.”

'Pop Idol' runner-up Darius Campbell Danesh, who went viral with his rendition of 'Hit Me Baby One More Time,' has died at the age of 41.

“A true gent with a kind soul & mischievous tinkle in his eye. The BBC quoted a statement from Danesh’s family, which read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh. Danesh went onto release a single, “Colourblind,” which reached the number one spot in the U.K. A really good bloke – funny and kind and very talented.” A spokesperson for the Rochester police department told Variety his death is currently the subject of “an open investigation.” The singer, who was Scottish, was reportedly found dead in an apartment in Rochester, Minnesota on Thursday, Aug.

Glaswegian Pop Idol and West End star Darius was 41 years old.

His rendition of [Britney Spears](/artist/7405/britney-spears/) hit ...Baby One More Time on the show catapulted him into the spotlight, becoming a viewers' favourite. "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. [Will Young](/artist/11827/will-young/) and runner-up [Gareth Gates](/artist/11862/gareth-gates/), in 2002.

Pete Waterman first met Darius Danesh in 2002 when he was a judge on the TV show Pop Idol and the pair remained friends over the years and last met up with ...

"So, when he walked in the room on Popstars in Glasgow, you know, Simon [Cowell], and everybody else is saying, ‘Oh, no, not Darius’. He just could not concentrate." "So, I knew I've got a friend but I knew there was gonna be no business partnership.

Campbell Danesh was found dead in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11, his family announced. In a statement, former Pop Idol judge Cowell (62) ...

My thoughts are with them now.x” along with a link to a video of Campbell Danesh performing. Liberty X member Michelle Heaton, who also competed on Popstars, remembered Campbell Danesh’s Popstars audition, during which he sang a rendition of …Baby One More Time by Britney Spears. thoughts with Darius family right now x always our Britney.” Following his death, Campbell Danesh’s family issued a statement, which said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh. A true family man. 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.

The singer and actor was found dead in his US apartment, with the cause of death currently unknown.

A statement from the family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh. 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. Campbell Danesh 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.” 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. 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. 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.

His journey from tryer to survivor to established success story is unlike anything else seen in TV talent show history.

“Darius is a survivor in life,” he said on the show. By the end of 2002, Darius had scored a UK No 1 with the Radio 2 classic Colourblind, landed a top 10 album and was briefly rivalling the established soft-pop dominance of Ronan Keating and Robbie Williams. A key part of the Darius story arrived during Popstars via a promise he made to the judge “Nasty” Nigel Lythgoe. But, crucially, there was always a sense he knew the game he was playing. You know, that doesn’t inspire me.” Instead he signed to Mercury Records and co-wrote his 2002 debut album, Dive In, with the likes of Steve Lillywhite (The La’s, Travis) and The Matrix (Avril Lavigne, Ronan Keating). Dressed somewhere between a roll-necked Steve Jobs and a swashbuckling musketeer, he became the instant star of a show that spectacularly failed in its remit to create stars.

'There are no words, only love,' said actor.

[Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. Danesh and Henstridge began dating in 2004. That in itself was an amazing experience, but a painful one. Danesh previously told The Herald: “It was often a long-distance relationship for half of it. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism [a tribute to Danesh from his Pop Idol co-star Gareth Gates here](/arts-entertainment/music/news/darius-danesh-gareth-gates-tribute-death-b2146376.html), and [other celebrity tributes here.](/arts-entertainment/tv/news/darius-danesh-death-tributes-will-young-b2146268.html)

Scottish Colourblind singer Darius Campbell-Danesh, who shot to fame after appearing on UK TV talent show Popstars, has died aged 41.

A statement said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh. He was in tears at the end of it, as well. [Darius said](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/darius-danesh-life-after-pop-26710993): "I drank the water for the video and raised the funds but, when I went to Glasgow to see my mum for her birthday, I collapsed. The pair filed for divorce two years later and the divorce was finalised in 2018. He was the first winner of ITV’s Popstar to Operastar series in 2010. I am proud of my heritage and I don't want to lose that. But Darius Campbell reflects that I am Scottish.” [Scottish singer-songwriter](https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/music) Darius launched his career with a rendition of Britney Spears’ ...Baby One More Time on Popstars over 20 years ago – the series which also starred Will Young and Gareth Gates. He was then voted on to the finals of Pop Idol the following year but turned down a record deal with music mogul Simon Cowell. He sang it in such a way it brought tears to my eyes. The book was a Sunday Times sixth best seller. “It turned out I had a cerebral oedema where your brain swells bigger than your skull.

It comes after the 41-year-old behind hit single Colourblind was found dead at this home in Minnesota.

There is no known threat to the public." The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office identified the person as Darius Campbell, age 41.” [Simon Cowell](https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/20666581.simon-cowell-remembers-darius-campbell-danesh-pop-idol-star-suddenly-dies-aged-41/) has remembered Darius as “charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with”. “He was charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with. Sharing an update on the star’s cause of death, the statement added: “The investigation into the cause of his death is still pending. The Public Information Officer for the Rochester Police Department said in a statement: “Officers responded to a deceased person call at 11.53am on August 11.