Stars from the world of music and TV paid tribute to the “fantastic” Darius Campbell Danesh after his death at the age of 41.
The former Pop Idol contestant was found dead in his apartment in Minnesota on August 11, his family announced Tuesday.
Although the cause of his death is not yet known, medical examinations continue and the local police department said “there are no signs of suspicious intent or circumstances”.
The Scottish singer-songwriter rose to fame after appearing on the ITV Popstars show, where he rose to fame for his audition performance of Britney’s Baby One More Time.
Leading the tributes was Simon Cowellwho remembered the theater star as “charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with”.
A Pop Idol judge while Campbell Danesh was a contestant, Cowell said, “I first saw Darius on television over 20 years ago and got to know him very well.
“His passing, for such a young person, is an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to his family and friends.”
“It was one of the calls you don’t expect”
Another former Pop Idol judge, Pete Waterman, told Sky News that Campbell Danesh was such a “lovely boy” and his “heart goes out” to his family.
Pete Waterman
“I still can’t believe it. He was 41 … that’s such a young age,” he said. “It was one of the calls you never expect.”
Waterman added: “It was lovely to work with him, genuine and hugely talented. I first met him in the first Pop Idol, I hadn’t seen him in Popstars, but I had two young daughters who told me about this. crazy singing Baby One more time.
“He went out and sang, and I thought he was brilliant. I thought, ‘wow, this guy is great’, and we became very good friends.”
He went on to say that Campbell Danesh was “extremely polite” but a “complex character” difficult to “establish”.
“He’s done shows, he’s produced movies, he’s made all kinds of investments and we’ve talked about his comeback in the pop industry and I just knew it was never going to happen,” he said.
“It could have been Michael Buble, but he wanted to do too many things.”
(LR) Pop Idol Top Five: Gareth Gates, Hayley Evetts, Darius Danesh, Zoe Birkett and Will Young
‘A soul that lit up every room’
Gareth Gates, who found fame after being runner-up in the first Pop Idol series, paid tribute to his “dear friend” in a touching Instagram post.
Alongside a photo of himself and Campbell Danesh, the 38-year-old wrote: “Darius took me under his wing during our time on Pop Idol, like an older brother; always attentive to me and for that I thank you my friend. .
“I will miss our chats. He was one of the most beautiful, intelligent and kind souls I have been lucky enough to know, a soul who lit up every room.
“Goodbye my friend. Forever in my heart.”
‘A passionate artist’
Opera singer Katherine Jenkins, who mentored Campbell Danesh on an ITV show called Popstar to Operastar in 2010, said she has “great memories” of coaching him.
“So sad to hear the news of Darius’s death,” he said.
“Very enthusiastic, a passionate and proud Scottish artist. My thoughts are with his family.
“Bernie Nolan, Meatloaf and now Darius – all friends of the first season and caught up with us too soon. RIP.”
“A true family man”
Presenter and former Hear’Say member Myleene Klass paid tribute to “talented” Campbell Danesh.
Sharing a link to a video of the singer’s performance, the 44-year-old, who also found fame on Popstars, wrote: “Everyone should watch this performance. Darius, you were so talented, so kind.
“A true family man. My thoughts are with them now.”
She also shared an image of a group of people, including herself and Darius, with the caption: “Going back to the beginning”.
‘My childhood crush’
Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt posted a photo of the singer performing in a contest on her Instagram story.
“Darius, you were my childhood crush since Pop Idol and I keep casting Colourblind on a rainy day … prayers to your family, friends and fans,” she wrote.
Campbell Danesh’s debut single, Colourblind, was released in July 2002 after appearing on the show and reaching number one.
“Always our Britney”
Jessica Taylor, member of Liberty X, whose group formed on Popstars, tweeted: “I’m so sad. Darius was only 41 years old.
“He was a true gentleman and I know that all of us who made Popstar with him will remember him with great affection.
“He had a way of bringing us all together and he had such natural warmth around him. Rest in peace, lovely man.”
Bandmate Michelle Heaton said: “So sad … thoughts with the Darius family right now x always our Britney.”
‘Really heartbreaking’
Sharing a photo of her and Campbell Danesh, Allo ‘Allo! actress Vicki Michelle described him as a “lovely talented man and a gentleman”.
British actor Matthew Marsden described the news as “truly heartbreaking” and recalled the first time he met Campbell Danesh.
“I first met Darius when he auditioned for the Big Breakfast Meteorologist years ago. He was a fantastic human being. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” she said.
Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts simply said, “It’s so sad. To think of Darius’ family and friends.”
