Darius Campbell Danesh.Photo: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
Darius Campbell Danesh, who rose to fame as a contestant on the British music competition seriesPop Idoltwo decades ago and went on to star in multiple productions on London’s West End, has died. He was 41.
The Scottish singer was found dead in his Rochester, Minnesota, apartment on Aug. 11, according to a statement from his family given toDeadline. His cause of death is currently unknown.
“The local police department have confirmed that there were no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances,” they continued. “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.”
After the show, he turned down a record deal fromPop IdoljudgeSimon Cowell, choosing instead to sign with producer Steve Lillywhite. Lillywhite collaborated with Campbell Danesh on his debut single “Colourblind,” which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the U.K. charts.
Campbell Danesh went on to have four more U.K. top 10 singles over the next three years: “Rushes,” “Incredible (What I Meant To Say),” “Kinda Love” and “Live Twice.” He also toured with artists such asShakiraandAlanis Morissette.
Campbell Danesh married Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge in 2011, and they divorced two years later.
In 2017, Campbell Danesh made headlines when he accidentally drank sewage water from the River Thames in England and contracted near-fatal meningitis. In an interview with theSunday Postafter the incident, he said he was “lucky” to be alive.
“Proper sad about Darius,” Clarktweeted.
The Kumarsactor Sanjeev Bhaskar remembered the time Campbell Danesh guest starred on the series in 2002,writing on Twitterthat he “couldn’t have been a nicer, warmer guest with a great sense of self deprecation.”
source: people.com
