Who was Darius Campbell Danesh and how did he die?
DARIUS Campbell fans around the world were left in shock when he suddenly died aged just 41.
The talented singer shot to fame on Popstars, and later appeared alongside Will Young and Gareth Gates in the first ever Pop Idol.
Who was Darius Campbell?
Darius Campbell was a British singer-songwriter, actor and producer born in Glasgow, Scotland, on August 19, 1980.
The Scot grew up in the Bearsden neighbourhood of Glasgow with two younger brothers.
He attended Glasgow Academy and studied English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh before his pop career came calling.
He was born with the name Darius Danesh but changed his name to his mother’s maiden name Campbell in 2010.
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Darius hit the headlines on December 17, 2017, when he revealed he had slipped into a coma after contracting meningitis when he drank water from the Thames.
What was Darius Campbell’s cause of death?
Darius died aged 41 on August 11, 2022.
A statement released from Campbell’s family confirmed the star’s death, and read: “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.
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“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.
“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.”
Following his death, tributes were paid to the late star from the showbiz world.
Darius was pictured out with Hollywood actor Gerard Butler just week before his death.
The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner revealed Darius accidental death was the result of inhalation of an over-the-counter pain relief spray.
Shortly after the first anniversary of his death, fresh details his passing were released.
Following the conclusion of a report by cops in the US, the music star’s family released a statement detailing how he’d been suffering in chronic pain which led to him taking a cocktail of drugs.
They told how Darius used marijuana along with pain medication and chloreothane in a bid to block out neck pain which had been “getting worse”.
But they said he had been in good spirits as he had dinner with friends just hours before he was found dead.
His family said they believe his heart condition was a major contributor in his death.
A family spokesperson told the Scotsman: “Darius had been suffering from severe nerve pain in his neck following car accidents in 2010 and 2021, which was progressively ‘getting worse’.
“He had taken pain medication, marijuana and chloroethane to manage the intensity of the pain prior to his death.”
When did Darius appear in Pop Idol?
Darius first rose to attention in 2001 when he appeared on the ITV talent competition Popstars – which was won by Hear’Say and also saw the rise of Liberty X.
Despite winning over fans thanks to an impressive rendition of the Britney Spears classic …Baby One More Time, Darius failed to pass the early rounds of the competition.
But Darius returned to TV one year later in Pop Idol – taking third place behind winner Will Young and runner up Gareth Gates.
Why did Darius change his name from Darius Danesh to Darius Campbell?
Darius was born with the last name Danesh – from his Iranian father Booth Danesh.
By 2010, he decided to change his name to his mother’s Scottish maiden name Campbell (his mother being called Avril Campbell) as he realised he feels “so Scottish”.
Darius told the Daily Record in 2010: “[My grandfather] is originally from Greenock and he sang The Green Oak Tree to me.
“He sang it in such a way it brought tears to my eyes. He was in tears at the end of it, as well.
“He said to me, ‘I am proud of you. No matter where you are in the world, you’ll always be a Campbell. You’ll always be a Scot and you’ll always be my grandson’.
“I am Scottish. I am proud of my heritage and I don’t want to lose that.”
He added: “When I travel the world, I feel so deeply Scottish.
“When people know me as Darius Danesh, it doesn’t reflect that I am Scottish.
“People say it’s not a very Scottish name. But Darius Campbell reflects that I am Scottish.”
When did Darius Campbell start his music career?
Following his appearance on Pop Idol, Darius turned down a contract from Simon Cowell and signed with producer Steve Lillywhite.
He released his debut single, Colourblind, on July 29, 2002, and it hit the top of the singles chart.
His subsequent album, Dive In, was released on December 2, 2002, which reached number 4 in the album chart and produced top 10 hits Rushes and Incredible (What I Meant to Say).
He released a second album, titled Live Twice, on October 25, 2004, which reached number 36 in the album charts and included top 10 singles Kinda Love and Live Twice.
Is Darius Campbell married?
In 2011 Darius Campbell married Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge – famous for her role in the 1995 sci-fi horror Species.
They had first dated in 2004 and had an on-off engagement until 2010 before finally tying the knot on Valentine’s Day 2011.
The pair filed for divorce in July 2013 – but were spotted kissing during a romantic dinner in August 2016.