Darius Campbell Danesh: Looking back on the life of the Pop Idol and West End star

Showbiz greats have paid tribute to Darius Campbell Danesh, the Pop Idol contestant turned West End star, following his sudden death on August 11. While his cause of death is unknown, his family said he was found in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota.

Ant and Dec, presenters of Pop Idol, paid their respects to the 41-year-old, referencing the many “laughs” they had with him on the show.

Gareth Gates described Darius as a "big brother" who took him “under his wing" during their time together on the show.

"He was one of the most beautiful, intelligent and gentle souls I was lucky enough to know, a soul that lit up every room,” his Instagram post reads.

Broadcaster Nicki Chapman, who was also a judge on the show, tweeted that Darius was "a true gent with a kind soul and mischievous tinkle in his eye".

But, who was Darius? Here’s everything you need to know.

Who was Darius Campbell Danesh?

Darius Campbell Danesh, 41 when he passed, was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His mother, Avril Campbell, is Scottish and his father, Booth Danesh is Iranian. He was born with the name Darius Danesh but changed his name to his mother’s maiden name Campbell in 2010. He grew up in the Bearsden area of Glasgow with two younger brothers, Aria (born 1983) and Cyrus (born 1995).

He attended the Glasgow Academy and studied English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh before his pop career took off.

How did Darius Campbell Danesh find fame?

Darius found fame on the short-lived British TV talent competition Popstars, which aired on ITV in 2001, the same show that produced the winning band Hear’Say and more successful band Liberty X. After performing his theatrical version of Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time, he was turned away by the judges and deemed a show off.

Songwriter and Popstars judge Paul Adam told Nicki Chapman: "He has talent, but I’m not sure if he’s the right person to fit into a five piece band or even a 100 piece band".

Failing to pass the early rounds of the competition, he returned to TV one year later in Pop Idol, and took third place behind winner Will Young and runner up Gareth Gates. Following his Pop Idol success, he turned down Simon Cowell’s record deal, instead signing with producer Steve Lillywhite.

When did Darius Campbell Danesh’s West End career take off?

Darius had two West End runs in Chicago (2005-2006), and at 25 became the youngest actor to fill the role of Billy Flynn since the show first opened on Broadway in 1975.

2007 saw him play the lead in Michael Grandage’s Olivier Award-winning production of Guys and Dolls, starring as Sky Masterson. Later that year he returned to his role of Billy Flynn for the 10th Anniversary charity performance of Chicago in London, in aid of the charities Breast Cancer Haven and Breast Health Institute. Then, in 2008 he returned to the West End to play Rhett Butler in Sir Trevor Nunn’s musical adaptation of Gone with the Wind.

A few years later at the beginning of 2010, Darius won the ITV show Popstar to Operastar. Eight pop stars were trained to perform famous opera arias.

He was mentored by tenor Rolando Villazón, and went on to duet with him on the song “The Impossible Dream” – and in May 2010, he appeared as toreador Escamillo in Bizet’s opera Carmen at London’s O2 Arena.

Darius also played the lead role of Warden in the show From Here to Eternity the Musical (2013), and Nick Arnstein in Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre in the West End (2016).

Did Darius Campbell Danesh ever take on acting roles?

Darius’ talent wasn’t only limited to music and theatre. In 2003, he appeared on TV as himself in an episode of the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, performing "Girl in the Moon" at a graduation ball. In 2009, he guest starred on the BBC show Hotel Babylon as Gennaro Fazio, an Italian magazine editor.

What charity work did Darius Campbell Danesh do?

Darius was an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, helping underprivileged youth. He also designed a guitar for Guitar Aid, and worked with the Lymphoma Association and Cancer Research UK, as well as other cancer charities.

Was Darius Campbell Danesh married?

Aged just 22, the TV star moved to the US and married Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge (who starred in hit sci-fi film Species), becoming step-father to her two young sons. They began dating in 2006 and later married in 2011 in a secret ceremony.

But the relationship didn’t come without its issues, according to Darius, who said they were on and off throughout their courtship.

“That relationship was certainly not without its ups and downs. Over the course of 12 years we broke up many times and had a period of six months apart,” he previously told the Scottish Herald.

“It was often a long distance relationship for half of it. That in itself was an amazing experience, but a painful one. When you love someone you want to be with them.”

“I felt a great sense of loss with the divorce and I went through a grieving period. You see, you don’t break up with one person, you break up with three. And in some ways, it’s like a death,” he added.

Darius Danesh - In pictures

They filed for divorce in July 2013, and the divorce was finalised in February 2018.

Natasha Henstridge shared an emotional tribute this week, sharing photos from their time together on Instagram in a since-deleted post: “’I have found the paradox that if you love until it hurts there can be no more hurt – only more love’ – Mother Theresa.

“There are no words Darius… only Love Love Love. Forever Janam.”