Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh has died aged 41.
The singer and actor was found dead in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11.
His cause of death remains unknown.
A statement 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.
"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."
Devastated fans flocked to Twitter to pay tribute, with one writing: "I'm sorry but what in the name f*** is this?! Gutted, absolutely f***ing gutted."
While another commented: "Sad news this afternoon that Darius has passed away. Just heard this on @1025Clyde1 with @garry__spence Love to all his family x."
A third wrote: "Iconic. Colourblind was and still is a tune! RIP #darius #dariusdanesh."
Nicki Chapman was the first of the Popstars judges to share their heartbreak over his death, writing on social media: "There will only ever be one Darius Campbell Danesh.
"A true gent with a kind soul & mischievous tinkle in his eye. From that eventful first audition on Popstars to him kindly inviting me to see him perform on the West End stage
"Thoughts are with his family at this sad time."
While Liberty X member Michelle Heaton, whose group was formed after appearing Popstars, tweeted: "So sad … thoughts with Darius family right now x always our Britney” followed by a red heart and a rainbow emoji."
Michelle's former bandmember Jessica Taylor also wrote: "I’m so sad. Darius was only 41. He was an absolute gentleman & I know all of us who did Popstars with him will remember him with huge fondness. He had a way of bringing us all together & had such a natural warmth about him. Rest in peace lovely man.”
Gareth Gates, who competed against Darius in Pop Idol, also shared his heartbreak over Darius' death, referring to him as a "big brother" with a "gentle soul".
Former Hear’Say bandmember Myleene Klass shared a video of Darius performing and tweeted: “Everyone should watch this performance. Darius, you were so talented, so kind. A true family man. My thoughts are with them now.x”
X Factor alumni Rylan Clark tweeted: "Proper sad about Darius."
West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher commented: "This is such sad news” with a broken heart emoji.
Others recalled their sweet experiences meeting the star, with one tweeting: "After I had interviewed Darius for J17, he insisted on walking me to the tube, and stopped all the traffic on Knightbridge for me like a lollipop man. Lovely guy and a good laugh."
While another commented: "Holy s***, Darius Danesh died! I always liked him. Never forget he went on national TV and said he was going to be a multi-platinum selling artist before he was 35, became a laughing stock and then went and F***ING DID IT."
A third wrote: "Literally just seen the news about #Darius .. totally floored by this I’ll be honest. 41. Bloody 41. Met him a few times back in the day and he was the nicest man. Tragic. Too young."
Another fan recalled: "I first met Darius aged 9. It was between Pop Stars and Pop Idol. He came to pick his brother up from school and I was properly star struck. I bumped into him again a few years ago. He was really kind. Sending love to his family and fans. Rest in peace. #ripdarius."
"Last day out I had with my mum before she died was to Funny Girl. We went to see Sheridan in her dressing room after for a chat & my mum was obsessed to meet #Darius so Sheridan introduced them. It was Glenda's finest hour. He was a delight to her. RIP," another commented.
Darius was last pictured with Hollywood pal Gerard Butler in Malibu as he took a dog for a walk, just weeks before he died.
The friends were photographed barefoot as they hung out near Gerard's home.
The Scottish singer-songwriter and actor - who was known as Darius Danesh when he made his first bid for fame in ITV show Popstars in 2001 - also appeared on the first Pop Idol, which was won by Will Young.
After his successful stint in Pop Idol, he was offered a record deal by Simon Cowell - which he turned down in favour of working with producer Steve Lillywhite.
He went on to forge a successful stage career, appearing in Chicago as Billy Flynn in two runs of the production, as well as Guys And Dolls, Gone With The Wind and more in the West End.
He lived in the US and found love with Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge, whose films include sci-fi hit Species.
The couple married in 2011 at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California, but were divorced a few years later.
In 2010, he spoke to Hello! magazine about a car crash in which he broke his neck.
The singer had been a passenger in a Porsche when it hit a wall at 70mph after skidding on oil during a sunshine break in Spain.
After coming third in Pop Idol in 2010, he went on to win the first series of ITV's Popstar To Operastar contest, beating Bernie Nolan of the Nolan Sisters in a close final.
A few months after his win on the ITV show, which featured Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins and Mexican-born tenor Rolando Villazon as judges, he landed his first major opera role as he was cast in a new production of Carmen at London's O2 Arena.
Darius also briefly appeared in Hollyoaks back in 2003, soon after competing on Pop Idol, in which he performed Girl in the Moon at a grduation ball.
He also guest starred in BBC show Hotel Babylon in 2009 as Italian magazine editor Gennaro Fazio.
Darius took on the principal role of toreador Escamillo in the production, for a one-off performance which marked the first ever opera at the venue at the time.
In 2011, speaking about reprising the role of Chicago's scheming lawyer Flynn, he said he had based his portrayal of the character on his old mentor and Pop Idol judge, Simon Cowell.
Campbell starred opposite Ugly Betty star America Ferrera in the musical set in prohibition-era Chicago, and said: "He's the consummate businessman and a wonderful guy and there's a lot of Simon Cowell in Billy Flynn in terms of the way he approaches things and I recognise that in terms of the character."
He credited Cowell with persuading him to take on the role in Chicago in the first place.
He said: "I'm incredibly grateful for the experiences I've had and all the opportunities that it opened up and to be able to call Simon Cowell a friend and to be able to have dinner with him."
