‘Darius was a gentle soul’

Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh died suddenly last week and showbiz pals were quick to express their shock and pay tribute to “a true gentleman and legend”

- Samuel McManus Maxwell

The showbiz world was in shock last week when it was announced that singer and theatre star Darius Campbell Danesh had died at the age of 41.

Darius rose to fame on the ITV talent show Popstars in 2001, where he failed to make it into the winning band Hear’Say alongside Kym Marsh and Myleene Klass, but won the hearts of the nation with his alternative rendition of …Baby One More Time by Britney Spears.

In 2002, he finished in third place on Pop Idol behind Gareth Gates and winner Will Young. Following his time on the show, Darius went on to release the No1 single Colourblind.

He turned his attention to theatre after the release of his second album and enjoyed two runs in the West End as Billy Flynn in Chicago in 2005 and 2008 – becoming the youngest person to ever play the character at the age of 25.

Darius went on to star in a number of musicals including Guys And Dolls, Gone With The Wind, From Here To Eternity and Funny Girl. In 2010, he won the first series of ITV's Popstar To Operastar, going on to perform in Carmen at London's 02 Arena.

A statement issued by his family said, "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 11 August and was pronounced dead in the afternoon by the local medical examiners' office.