Darius Danesh rejecting Simon Cowell's record deal led him to have number one hit

HEARTBROKEN Gerald Butler today led mourners in saying a final goodbye to Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh. The singer, 41, was tragically found dead in his US apartment on August 11. Around 100 mourners gathered to pay their respects to Darius as he was laid to rest today.

Hollywood actor Gerard Butler led mourners at the funeral of late Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh.An intimate funeral service was held for the Scottish singer in Glasgow on Thursday (August 25) so the star could finally be laid to rest.It comes after the musician tragically died aged 41 and was found dead in his US apartment on August 11.READ MORE:Darius Campbell Danesh 'weeks away from Pop Idol comeback' before tragic death aged 41Around 100 mourners reportedly gathered to pay their tributes to the former Pop Idol star, according to The Sun and other outlets.It was also reported a lone piper played Caledonia during the emotional procession.A-list actor Gerard Butler, a close pal of Darius, was among those saying a final farewell to the star.The Scottish actor previously called fellow Scot Darius a "true brother in arms" following the heartbreaking news of the singer's death.Butler went on: "My thoughts and love go to his wonderful mum and dad Avril and Booth and his two brilliant brothers Aria and Cyrus."To those lucky enough to have met Darius for more than a few minutes, they were deeply moved by his infectious laugh and barely containable zest for life."He was always armed with a smile, a booming voice, and a genuinely warm embrace that few could resist – nor would they want to!!! He was an incredible talent, a singer whose voice touched your soul and an actor with great presence."But, most importantly, he had the heart of a lion.

The funeral of Scots Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh has been held in Bearsden, following his sudden death.

X Factor in 2008.The star initially competed in the second series of the show, reaching the judges houses stage where she was one of Louis Walsh's final seven.But the boyband exec initially didn't choose her to go through to the live finals as she was too young at the time.READ MORE: Explosive X Factor documentary in the works – everything we know so farHowever Louis was eventually left red-faced as she went onto win the ITV reality singing competition in 2008, after being mentored by Cheryl Cole and beating out the likes of JLS to sign a record contract with Simon Cowell's record label Syco, going onto create an illustrious career for herself.As she turns 34 on August 25, Daily Star has taken a look at some of her best momentsIn terms of fashion, Alexandra got to a great start on her X Factor 2008 stint, but no look was as iconic as her finale outfit.Alexandra struggled to hold back tears as she took to the stage to perform the iconic Dreamgirls track Listen alongside her idol, worldwide superstar Beyoncé who also sang the track in the 2006 movie. Although it was a huge coup to book Beyoncé on the ITV show, the eyes of the nation were on not just on the former Destiny's Child recording artist as Alexandra more than held her own.

Simon Cowell opened up about how his judging style has changed over the years, and he has his son to thank for that.  "I have a son, I have much more empathy for the younger acts," Cowell told Fox News Digital on the red carpet at "America's Got Talent." The 62-year-old reality television personality is engaged to marry Lauren Silverman. Cowell and his socialite fiancée have been dating since 2004 and, in 2014, the two welcomed son Eric, now 8."The truth is you want everyone to succeed.

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman are set to tie the knot, but the question is just how involved the America's Got Talent judge is with prepping.Cowell spoke with ET's Denny Directo on the red carpet on Tuesday, following the third night of the season 17 qualifying rounds, and he laughingly said, «I am always wedding planning.»Although, when asked if he's truly a «groomzilla» Cowell admitted that he's really «not involved» in the nuances of pulling off the big day, and is instead letting his longtime love have it the way she wants.That being said, there is something Cowell really does want to have at the wedding. «A puppy!» Cowell said, perhaps inspired by an adorable puppy that happened to be on the carpet at the same time.

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman are set to tie the knot, but the question is just how involved the America's Got Talent judge is with prepping.Cowell spoke with ET's Denny Directo on the red carpet on Tuesday, following the third night of the season 17 qualifying rounds, and he laughingly said, «I am always wedding planning.»Although, when asked if he's truly a «groomzilla» Cowell admitted that he's really «not involved» in the nuances of pulling off the big day, and is instead letting his longtime love have it the way she wants.That being said, there is something Cowell really does want to have at the wedding. «A puppy!» Cowell said, perhaps inspired by an adorable puppy that happened to be on the carpet at the same time.

He's been hard at work judging and executive producing the current season of  America's Got Talent on NBC.But ahead of Tuesday night's taping, the 62-year-old was spotted running a few errands in Los Angeles.Seemingly heading to a meeting, Simon strolled with a brown leather briefcase and two Apple iPads in hand. Out and about: Simon Cowell was spotted running a few errands in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon`The former American Idol judge showed off his buff bod in a tight charcoal gray T-shirt and a pair of bright white shorts.He completed his casual look with some black lace-up tennis shoes.  Simon sported a bit of facial scruff and his salt-and-pepper hair was worn in a spiky style.He protected his eyes from the harsh Southern California sun with a pair of reflective aviator shades.  Ready to roll: Seemingly heading to a meeting, Simon strolled with a brown leather briefcase and two Apple iPads in handBefore heading into a nearby building, the record executive offered a friendly smirk in the direction of passersby.Simon's hit talent competition series, which he created and launched back in 2006, is currently in its 17th season on NBC.The current judges line-up is made up of Simon, supermodel Heidi Klum, comedian Howie Mandel and Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara.

SIMON Cowell once seemingly owned the format to just about every popular telly show around the world. But over the past 12 months the former Mr Nasty has taken a notable change in direction which has included the closure of his once-great record label SYCO Music. His latest switch-up comes in the form of America’s Got Talent: Extreme, which I understand has been quietly shelved by NBC amid complications with insurance.

"When he did get back, the reply was to say 'thanks for getting in touch, love you and apologies for the tardy response'."It was very odd," they told The Sun.They continued: "It was like I was speaking to a stranger. I spoke to him afterwards but he seemed like he may have been a bit lost."The star's family will now have to wait for an agonising two months before they can receive the details about the cause of his death.A police spokesman said: "The investigation into the cause of his death is still pending.There is no known threat to the public."Darius had been staying at The Berkman apartments, billed as Rochester’s premiere address for “elegant short-term and long-term furnished suites and residential living”.Most tenants who live in the block of flats work or are being treated at the Mayo Clinic nearby.The Mayo Clinic is rated among the top hospitals in the world, and has treated celebrities, including Muhammad Ali, Johnny Cash, and former US president Ronald Reagan.Sean Bean addresses 'regrets' after being married five times[LATEST]Michael Jackson's kids Paris, 24, and Prince, 25, hold hands at gala[PICTURES]Michael Bublé's wife shares new hospital footage from baby's birth[INSTAGRAM]Following the sad news of his death, tributes had poured in for Darius and among those was music mogul, Simon Cowell, who said: “He was charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with.

Darius Campbell Danesh spoke of his desire to return to Scotland and how he felt "blessed" in an emotional final interview. In the last week, tributes have poured in for the reality star-turned West End favourite from celebrities, friends, and fans - following his untimely death at aged 41.

Darius Campbell Danesh 'went off grid shortly before his death,' pals of the star claimed on Sunday. The singer was found unresponsive in a room within the Berkman apartment complex opposite Rochester's Mayo Clinic specialist treatment centre, where he had checked in using the name Morgan Brown, on August 11.  According to The Sun, pals of Darius were allegedly 'worried' when they struggled to get in touch with him in the months before his death.

Darius Campbell Danesh believed he had lived a 'blessed' life and spoke of his deep yearning to return to Scotland, the land he truly loved, in his poignant final interview.  As a host of celebrities, friends and fans mourned his death last week and paid tribute to the man who went from reality show laughing stock to pop and West End stardom, the most heartbreaking words came from the Scottish icon's own lips. As he looked back on his life, he simply said: 'I've been really blessed.

Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh went “off-grid” shortly before his death and had lost touch with some of his close friends, according to reports. The singer and stage performer, 41, was found unresponsive in an apartment in Rochester, Minnesota on 11 August, with his family confirming the tragic news of his death a few days later. An investigation into the performer’s death is still ongoing, but it’s reported that some of his friends struggled to contact him before he died.

Simon Cowell's already svelte physique continues to shrink further after making long-term changes to his previously unhealthy lifestyle. The X-Factor judge recently shocked fans as he looked "slimmer than ever" in a snap taken on a family holiday.

POP Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh worried pals by going “off-grid” in the months before his death. The Scottish singer, 41, who was found dead in a US apartment, would take weeks to respond to messages and seemed “a bit lost” when he finally replied, friends said. Darius was found dead in bed in an apartment block next to the renowned Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11.

Darius Campbell Danesh left his pals worried when he didn't reply to their texts in the months before his tragic and untimely death.The Glaswegian singer, who shot to fame in 2001 when he appeared on Popstars, passed away on August 11 at just 41 years of age.And now friends of the pop singer have spoken out about how they felt "worried" by his behaviour when he went "off-grid" in the months leading up to his passing.READ NEXT: Matthew Wright compares Darius' tragic death to Boyzone's Stephen Gately's passingA friend, who knew Darius for more than 20 years, told The Sun that someone got in touch with them to see if they could reach him as he had "gone off-grid" and and they were "worried".The friend then sent Darius a message to check in on him which took him almost two weeks to respond to."That was unusual for him," they explained, adding: "He was usually very engaging and would respond quickly."They went on to say that when he did reply, the response was "very off" and it felt as though he was a "stranger".Darius' pal revealed that they spoke soon after, but "he seemed like he may have been a bit lost".Scottish star Darius, who lived in America, was found dead in his Minnesota apartment earlier this month, with news breaking days later.Police confirmed that there were no signs of suspicious circumstances when he was found.He was found unresponsive at his home, with the cause of death unknown until a post-mortem is undertaken.The Scottish first shot to fame when he appeared on Popstars when he sang a memorable rendition of Britney Spears' chart-topping track Baby One More Time.Darius went on to perform in London's West End, with him even playing Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind.He married Canadian actress Natasha

Scots Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus says she "can't stop thinking about the loveliest boy" Darius Campbell Danesh, following his death. In her post on Instagram, she shared a picture of one of his performances on The Hour, on STV, which she used to present.

Gerard Butler has paid tribute to his friend Darius Campbell Danesh, saying he has been left “devastated” by the death of his “brother in arms” last week.