
Will Young has paid tribute to fellow Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh following his death aged 41 in a heartfelt statement.
Sharing a throwback picture of them together on Instagram, the singer – who became the first ever winner of the competition in 2002 – wrote: ‘For the past few days my thoughts have been with Darius’s family and will continue to be so.
‘I found this picture a while ago taken during Pop Idol. If there was ever an example of not giving up on your dreams then Darius is top of the pile. Driven, courageous and gentle.
‘My love goes to his family at this time x.’
Campbell Danesh competed alongside Young in the inaugural season of Pop Idol, finishing in third place behind runner-up Gareth Gates.
Following the news of the musician’s death, Gates shared a tribute earlier this week, saying he felt ‘heartbroken’ by his loss.
‘I can’t quite believe the news of my dear friend Darius passing. I’m heartbroken,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘Darius took me under his wing during our time in Pop Idol, like a big brother; always looking out for me and for that I thank you my friend.
‘I will miss our chats. He was one of the most beautiful, intelligent and gentle souls I was lucky enough to know, a soul that lit up every room.
‘Good bye my friend. Forever in my heart x.’
On Thursday August 11, Campbell Danesh was found unresponsive in his apartment in Minnesota, US.
In a statement released by his family, they shared that he was pronounced dead that afternoon y 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,’ they wrote.
‘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.’
A few weeks before the West End performer’s death, he was spotted going for a stroll on the beach with his friend, Hollywood actor Gerard Butler, in what’s believed to have been the last-known photo taken of him.
In a new post shared on social media, Butler paid tribute to Campbell Danesh, calling him his ‘brother in arms’.
‘He was always armed with a smile, a booming voice, and a genuinely warm embrace that few could resist-nor would they want to!!!’ the PS I Love You star wrote.
He added: ‘But, most importantly, he had the heart of a lion. It was bigger and brighter than the sun and an energy so contagious he could light up a room in seconds.’

Campbell Danesh’s ex-wife Natasha Henstridge, who he was married to from 2011 to 2013, also honoured him in a tribute.
‘There are no words Darius… only Love Love Love. Forever Janam,’ she wrote.
It’s been claimed that prior to his death, Campbell Danesh was in talks to appear in a Pop Idol reunion special to mark the show’s 20th anniversary.
A source said that he was ‘really excited’ by the idea of taking part, which was supposedly due to be filmed ‘around the end of September’.
‘It was going to be an hour-and-a-half-long special hosted by Ant and Dec and full of nostalgia for the millions of Pop Idol fans,’ they told The Sun.
‘I spoke to Darius recently and he was in good spirits – he was his usual happy self.’