Darius Campbell Danesh
Darius Campbell Danesh | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | Darius |
Born | Glasgow, Scotland | 19 August 1980
Died | 11 August 2022[1] Rochester, Minnesota, US | (aged 41)
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) |
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Years active | 2000–2022 |
Labels | |
Spouse(s) | |
Website | www |
Darius Campbell Danesh (19 August 1980 – 11 August 2022) was a Scottish singer-songwriter, actor and film producer. He first came to prominence as Darius Danesh.
Under the name Darius, he released two studio albums,
Campbell Danesh performed the role of Billy Flynn in the
In 2010, he trained with tenor
Early life
Campbell Danesh was born in
Career
2001–2002: Popstars and Pop Idol
Campbell Danesh's professional career began with a non-singing role in the
As Darius Danesh, he first gained fame in 2001 after appearing on the British talent competition Popstars.[9] A year later he was voted to the finals of the TV talent show, Pop Idol. He turned down Simon Cowell's record deal, then signed with producer Steve Lillywhite.[10]
In an interview to Daily Record, he said that he had not decided to drop the Campbell from his name, and that all was decided for him and that he should go by the name Darius Danesh.[11]
2002–2004: "Colourblind" and Dive In
The first single written by Campbell Danesh, "
His debut album, Dive In, was certified platinum in the UK in 2004, charting at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart during the competitive pre-Christmas sales period.[13] He subsequently had five UK top ten singles.[14]
He wrote all 12 songs on the Dive In album,[15] and produced one of the tracks, "Better Than That", whilst collaborating with a number of other producers, such as The Misfits and The Matrix on the other tracks.[16] Steve Lillywhite was executive producer on the album.[17] Campbell Danesh, then performing as Darius Danesh, supported Shakira on her world tour and went on to complete his own sell-out UK Dive In tour.[18]
The Dive In tour took place in April and May 2003. The fifteen dates scheduled for May expanded to twenty three dates on public demand.[19]
2004–2008: Sink or Swim, Live Twice and Chicago
His book Sink or Swim, about the perils of the music business, was a
After receiving news that his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he wrote and dedicated his second studio album Live Twice to Dr Booth Danesh, who later made a miraculous recovery.[13] In 2005, the album's title-track Live Twice became his fifth top ten single.[23]
Campbell Danesh had two West End runs in Chicago[23] during 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.[24]
In 2007, after seeing
In 2008, he returned to London's West End to play Rhett Butler in Sir Trevor Nunn's musical adaptation of Gone with the Wind.[27]
2010–2015: Popstar to Operastar and From Here to Eternity the Musical
In January and February 2010, Campbell Danesh won the UK's
On 1 July 2013, it was announced that Campbell Danesh would play the lead role of Warden in the show
2015–2022: Funny Girl and final works
Campbell Danesh played
Weeks prior to his death in August 2022, Danesh was said to have been "excited" about an upcoming Pop Idol re-union, with it being rumoured that he was set to duet with both Will Young and Gareth Gates in a reunion special which would be hosted by Ant & Dec. Filming was due to commence at Criterion Theatre in London.[35]
Other work
Television
In 2003, Campbell Danesh appeared as himself in an episode of the
Charity
Campbell Danesh was an ambassador for
Personal life
In 2010, he was seriously injured in a car crash in Spain, which left him with chronic neck pain. He declined an operation because there was a risk it would affect his vocal cords.[39]
Campbell Danesh married Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge in February 2011.[40] They filed for divorce in July 2013.[41][42] The divorce was finalised in February 2018.[43]
Death
Campbell Danesh was found unresponsive on 11 August 2022 in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, United States, and he was pronounced dead later that day.[44][1] His family reported there were no suspicious circumstances or signs of intent surrounding his death.[6]
Tributes were paid by his close friend Gerard Butler and others who had worked closely with Danesh, including Simon Cowell, Gareth Gates, Will Young and Ant & Dec.[45][46][47] Eight days after his death, his debut single "Colourblind" charted at number two on both the UK Official Singles Download[48] and Sales charts.[49]
A private funeral was held for Campbell Danesh on 25 August 2022 at a church in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden, which was attended by family members and close friends.[50]
An autopsy report, released on 10 September 2022, concluded that Campbell Danesh died from inhalation of chloroethane, which led to respiratory arrest. He used chloroethane in addition to physiotherapy to treat his neck pain[citation needed]. His death was ruled an accident.[2][39] Campbell Danesh had suffered from chronic pain since a car accident in 2010 while on a holiday in Spain.[11]
Discography
- Dive In (2002)[51]
- Live Twice (2004)[52]
Theatre
Year | Title | Role | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
2005–2006 | Chicago | Billy Flynn | Adelphi Theatre |
2007 | Guys and Dolls | Sky Masterson | Piccadilly Theatre |
2008 | Gone with the Wind | Rhett Butler | New London Theatre
|
2011 | Chicago | Billy Flynn | Garrick Theatre |
2013–2014 | From Here to Eternity | Sergeant Milt Warden | Shaftesbury Theatre |
2015–2016 | Funny Girl | Nick Arnstein | Menier Chocolate Factory |
Books
- Darius: Sink or Swim, My Story. ISBN 0-7553-1281-3.
References
- ^ a b "Darius Danesh death: Rylan Clark and Lorraine Kelly lead tributes after Pop Idol star dies aged 41". The Independent. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ a b Bedigan, Mike (10 September 2022). "Darius Danesh died of accidental inhalation of chloroethane, US coroner says". The Independent. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ Sarah Swain (12 October 2010). "Snow White has to be woken up by a real Scotsman – you won't see me in a pair of tights! – Evening Times | Features | Editor's Picks". Evening Times. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
- ^ "Centenary celebrations for Bearsden Primary – Local Headlines". Milngavie Herald. 16 March 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
- ^ Bernadette McNulty (9 April 2008). "Frankly, Darius Danesh does give a damn". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ a b "Darius Campbell Danesh: Pop Idol and West End star dies aged 41". BBC News. BBC. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "GMTV 12 January 2010 : Popstar to Opera Star". Gm.tv. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "Broadway.com". London.broadway.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- Scottish Daily Record. Archivedfrom the original on 31 December 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- ^ "Darius Campbell Danesh: Simon Cowell and Gareth Gates lead tributes to late Pop Idol star". BBC News. 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Scots singer Darius Campbell Danesh's death ruled an accident". bbc.com. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Award". BPI. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ a b "The Record Music Magazine". www.therecordmag.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2006.
- ^ "Darius – full Official Chart History – Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Dive In Darius". Worcester News. 11 December 2002. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Darius live at the Carling Apollo, Manchester Saturday, May 17, 2003". Wirral Globe. 13 December 2002. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Steve Lillywhite – Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell-Danesh dies aged 41 – here's everything we know about death of Scottish star". www.scotsman.com. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Darius goes on tour". BBC News. 11 December 2002. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
- ^ "Darius Campbell Danesh: an alluring mix of naivety, panache and genuine talent". the Guardian. 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Music stars unite for war charity, 14 October 2002". BBC News. 14 October 2002. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette and Darius to stage at MTV Immies, 1 December 2004". IndianTelevision.com. 1 December 2004. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ a b "The Big Smoke, 7 November 2005". Thebigsmokex.blogspot.com. 7 November 2005. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "West End star Darius Danesh has died aged 41 – WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Guys And Dolls the Musical". Guys And Dolls the Musical. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "Chicago Razzle Dazzles on 10th anniversary". Official London Theatre. Archived from the original on 11 December 2007.
- ^ "Darius Danesh Is Gone with the Wind Rhett Butler". Whatsonstage.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Simpson, Oli (19 February 2010). "Darius wins Popstar To Operastar". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
- ^ "Darius Campbell Danesh: Pop Idol and West End star dies aged 41". BBC News. 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Darius lands first major opera role". The Press Association. Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
- ^ "History of the Big Bands". historyofthebigbands.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
- ^ "Pop Idol finalist Darius takes Burt Lancaster role in musical remake". Evening Standard. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- ^ "Funny Girl". www.menierchocolatefactory.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Funny Girl (Closed October 08, 2016) – West End – reviews, cast and info – WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Darius Danesh was 'really excited about Pop Idol comeback' weeks before death". 18 August 2022.
- ^ "Hotel Babylon credits". Bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 August 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "The Darius Guitar". Guitar Aid. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Morrison, Jenny (16 November 2014). "Darius Campbell hails his parents after they BOTH make amazing cancer recoveries". dailyrecord. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Scots singer Darius Campbell Danesh's death ruled an accident". BBC News. 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Natasha Henstridge – Natasha Henstridge And Darius Campbell Wed". Contactmusic.com. 14 March 2011. Archived from the original on 16 March 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
- ^ Loinaz, Alexis (2013). "Natasha Henstridge Files for Divorce From Darius Campbell". E!. Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
Darius Campbell
- ^ Zach Johnson (24 July 2013). "Natasha Henstridge, Darius Campbell Getting Divorced After Two Years". US Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
- Montreal Gazette. 27 February 2018. Archivedfrom the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ Griffin, Louise (16 August 2022). "Former Pop Idol contestant Darius Campbell Danesh found dead in US apartment aged 41". Metro. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Macdonald, Siobhan (19 August 2022). "Darius and Gerard Butler's friendship as star makes touching vow in his memory". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ^ Minelle, Bethany (19 August 2022). "Will Young and Gerard Butler pay tribute to Darius Danesh after sudden death". Sky News. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ^ Sharp, Jess (16 August 2022). "Darius Campbell Danesh: Stars pay tribute to former Pop Idol contestant after death aged 41". Sky News. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ^ "Darius Danesh Campbell: Funeral for musician and TV star held near Glasgow". Glasgowworld.com. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ Darius – Dive In, archived from the original on 1 December 2021, retrieved 17 August 2022
- ^ Darius – Live Twice, archived from the original on 16 August 2022, retrieved 17 August 2022
External links
- Darius Campbell Danesh at Curlie
- Darius Campbell at IMDb
- Guitar Aid Archived 14 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine – The Darius Guitar
- Darius Campbell Danesh discography at Discogs
- Darius-Campbell-Danesh.com – Darius Remembrance Website