The music world is mourning the loss of pop idol Darius Campbell Danesh, who tragically passed away at the age of forty-one. The singer was found unresponsive in his bed in Rochester, Minnesota on August 11, 2022. The news of his death has left thousands grieving, including music mogul Simon Cowell who paid tribute to the talented artist. While the cause of his death has not been released by the police, they have stated that there were no signs of foul play.
Cowell and Danesh first crossed paths when the younger singer placed third in the 2002 Pop Idol competition. Cowell, who is now 63, released a heartfelt tribute to Danesh on the exact day when Danesh’s chart-topping hit “Colorblind” was released twenty years ago. Despite declining a record deal offered by Cowell, the two remained close friends.
In an interview with Hello, Danesh explained his decision: “When Simon Cowell offered me a contract and I turned it down, it seemed like the obvious thing to do. I understand why people thought I was mad to do it, but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have had a number one with ‘Colorblind’. I would have just been doing covers, and then nobody would have heard of me ever again. I’m so lucky to be able to do what I love without having someone else tell me what to wear and how to act.”
Just before his untimely death, Danesh had plans to join other Pop Idol stars for a reunion tour. He was looking forward to this exciting comeback and had everything to live for. Danesh gained fame in the UK after his memorable performance of Britney Spears’s hit song “Baby One More Time”. Hailing from Scotland, he also had a successful theater career alongside his music industry experience.
Simon Cowell reminisced about his friendship with Danesh, stating, “I first saw Darius on television over 20 years ago, and I got to know him really well. He was charismatic, funny, and just a great person to be with. His passing, at such a young age, is an absolute tragedy, and my heart goes out to his family and friends.”
A statement released by Danesh’s family revealed the devastating news: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh. Darius was found unresponsive in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota on August 11 and was pronounced dead in the afternoon by the local medical examiner’s office. The local police department has confirmed that there were no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances. The cause of his sudden death is currently unknown as medical examinations continue. We kindly ask for privacy as we come to terms with the tragic loss of our son and brother.”
