Devastated Simon Cowell pays tribute to ‘charismatic’ Darius Campbell Danesh after his shock death

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.

Love Island star Jamie Allen has been "released" from his footballing contract with FC Halifax Town. At the time of Jamie's Love Island appearance his football team made it clear they were unhappy with him leaving to join the ITV dating show.Jamie is yet to comment on the departure but the club released the news on their social media channel today. READ MORE: Love Island's Paige Thorne lands six figure deal as first islander collaboration The statement read: "FC Halifax Town and Jamie Allen have mutually agreed to release Jamie from his contract and he has left the Club."FC Halifax Town would like to thank Jamie for his contribution to the Football Club and wish him all the best in the future."The club made it clear they were unhappy with Jamie's decision to joining the cast of Love Island and at the time posted a statement that read: "Allen has decided to join the cast of Love Island 2022, making his intentions clear that the opportunity is very important to him."The matter will be reviewed on his return."Many fans of the football team, however, were not happy about Jamie's decision to leave the club.One wrote: "Hope it was worth it Jamie lad, a weeks worth on TV and another week of Interviews from Magazines and that will be your lot.

Five youths have been stuck by a vehicle on a Scots road this evening.

Love Island's Adam Collard has spoken of his excitement at receiving a FaceTime call from two huge stars but admitted that because of a poor connection, he didn't realise who he was speaking to.The double ex-Islander, who left the villa happily coupled up with Paige Thorne earlier this month, told a story on his YouTube channel. Adam explained that during an episode of Aftersun, he was put on a call with Australian actress Margot Robbie, 32, and supermodel Cara Delevingne, 30.

LOVE Island's Tasha Ghouri has broken her silence as rumours circulated she is feuding with winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu. Talk of beef between the two circulated after both of them missed each other's birthday celebrations. Tasha celebrated her 24th birthday last week with boyfriend Andrew LePage, and the pair had fellow islanders Gemma Owen, Luca Bish, Indiyah Polack and Dami Hope in attendance.

"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.

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

PETER Andre has hinted he wasn't happy as ex Katie Price was seen praising his daughter's glam Instagram photos by sharing a new "no filter" snap of the teen. The proud dad took to his Instagram grid with a natural, make-up free picture of Princess, 15, after she wowed fans with a holiday snap where she looked just like Katie, 44. Yesterday, Princess took to social media in a tight-fitting dress, as she let her blonde hair trail down her chest and smiled for the camera.

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.

LAUREN Goodger today shared a cryptic post about having "no support" after suffering a "horrific" few weeks. It comes after the Towie star's second daughter with builder Charles Drury was tragically born with her umbilical cord tied around her neck on July 8. Lauren has been going through an incredibly tough time after burying Lorena on August 5.

Love Island finalist Gemma Owen has reunited with her fellow Islanders for the first time since the ITV show ended. The 19-year-old and her beau Luca Bish, 23, caught up with their series eight contestants in London after missing out on previous get-togethers.

Hollywood pal, 51, paid tribute to Darius, saying he was driven to “inspire others to better themselves,” as he shared a recent picture on Instagram of the pair smiling in Malibu, US.READ MORE:Will Young pays tribute to 'gentle' Pop Idol co-star Darius Campbell Danesh after deathButler, who played the Spartan king in hit film 300, wrote: “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. It was bigger and brighter than the sun and an energy so contagious he could light up a room in seconds.”Meanwhile Will Young, who pipped Darius to a place in the finals of Pop Idol in 2002, described the singer as “driven, courageous and gentle on Instagram” as he shared a sweet picture of the pair with their arms around each other taken during the show.Young, 43, said: “For the past few days my thoughts have been with Darius’s family and will continue to be so.”“I found this picture a while ago taken during Pop Idol.