Glaswegian singer and Pop Idol star Darius Danesh has died aged 41 years old, his family have announced today.
The Scottish singer, who found fame on Pop Idol in 2001-2002 when he came runner-up to winner Will Young, was found in his US apartment in Minnesota on Monday, August 11. His cause of death still remains unknown.
A statement from the family said: "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.
READ MORE: Glasgow star Darius Danesh's life after Pop Idol - coma, Hollywood friends and heartbreak
"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."
Darius first shot to fame after he appeared on TV show Popstars, the show that fuelled the successes of Hear'Say and Liberty X, who were winners and runners up in the first season. A year later, Darius batted off criticism from the haters of his rendition of '...Baby One More Time' on Popstars and appeared on Pop Idol.
He came runner up to now-famous singers Will Young and Gareth Gates - but turned down a lucrative deal from Simon Cowell to work on his own music. The singer produced five top 10 singles, and had a number one hit with Colourblind, and sold a platinum debut album, Dive In.
The star went on to feature in many shows, coming third in 2010's run of Pop Idol, and beating Bernie Nolan of the Nolan Sisters in the first series of ITV's Popstar To Operastar. A few months after his win on the show, Darius landed his first major opera role as he was cast in a new production of Carmen at London's O2 Arena.
Darius also had a successful West End career, starring in Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Gone With The Wind, From Here to Eternity and alongside Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl in 2016. He also produced a documentary called Fountain of Youth and was an executive producer on the horror flick House Red in 2018.
The singer was well-renowned worldwide, and his passing is a shock to all who knew him. Our thoughts go out to Darius' family and friends.
More to follow on this story when we have it.
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