Darius Campbell Danesh: Last News

Darius Campbell Danesh took a huge risk after famously turning down Simon Cowell's record deal - but the Pop Idol star had the last laugh.

Former Pop Idol contestant and theatre star Darius Campbell Danesh has been found dead in his US apartment room at the age of 41, his family announced.

Tributes have flooded in after news broke of Pop Idol star Darius Danesh's tragic death aged 41.

have poured in for the late star, including from Lorraine Kelly, Sanjeev Bhaskar, and Rylan Clark.The Scottish singer-songwriter and actor, who was born in Glasgow, rose to fame when he appeared on Popstars in 2001 (under the name Darius Danesh) with a performance of Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time that would go down in TV history.Campbell Danesh then appeared on the first series of Pop Idol in 2002, which was won by Will Young, performing songs including Atomic Kitten’s Whole Again.He reached the finals of the competition, turning down an offer from Simon Cowell and signing a deal with producer Steve Lillywhite.Campbell Danesh’s debut single, Colourblind, was released in 2002 and shot straight to number one in the UK. He went on to release his debut album, Dive In.Overall, he achieved five top 10 singles in the UK chart.In addition to his pop career, Campbell Danesh was an accomplished theatre actor, starring as Billy Flynn in Chicago, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind and Nick Arnstein in Funny Girl.Campbell Danesh also wrote a book about his time in the music industry titled Sink Or Swim.

His family wrote in their heartfelt statement: "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 statement added: "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."It concluded: "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 tragedy took place after Darius had more than two decades of a successful showbiz career.He was much-loved in the entertainment industry, as early tributes suggest.BBC Radio presenter Sean Dunderdale has reminisced on Twitter of his caring and kind nature while telling of his sadness."I'm shocked by the sad news of the death of Darius Danesh," he wrote, adding: "He was one of the warmest, kindest, people."We met just after I’d gone through a breakup and to cheer me up he took me backstage at his gig, spent the day making sure I was okay and even tried to set me up with a friend!"Darius first attracted mainstream attention with his unique rendition of Britney Spears' Hit Me Baby One More Time.He went on to achieve third place on Pop Idol, behind Will Young and Gareth Gates.More than 13 million people tuned in to watch the fast-paced final.Though Will and Gareth's careers might have initially achieved more fame, Darius went on to rise to number one later in the year with his track Colourblind.His album, Dive In, also reached the top ten in the charts,

Darius Campbell Danesh has been found dead at the age of 41, his family has announced. The Pop Idol and theatre star was found in his US apartment room. The singer and actor was found in Rochester, Minnesota, on 11 August – although the cause of death remains unknown.

Darius Campbell Danesh has sadly died.

Popstars, Pop Idol and West End star Darius Danesh has tragically died aged 41, his family have confirmed.