Darius Campbell

Darius Campbell-Danesh (19 August 1980 – c. 11 August 2022) was a Scottish singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and film producer.

Under the name Darius, he recorded two studio albums, Dive In (2002) and Live Twice (2004), with both reaching top 40 in the UK Albums Chart. His debut single, "Colourblind", reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart in 2002. His next singles, "Rushes" and "Incredible (What I Meant to Say)", reached top ten in UK in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

Campbell performed the role of Billy Flynn in the West End production of Chicago in two runs of the musical. He played the lead role of Sky Masterson in the Olivier Award-winning Guys and Dolls, and the originating role of Rhett Butler in Sir Trevor Nunn's theatrical adaptation of Gone with the Wind.

In 2010, he trained with tenor Rolando Villazón, won the ITV competition Popstar to Operastar and performed a duet with Villazón on The Impossible Dream. The UK's biggest operatic production was the occasion of his operatic début, at the O2 Arena with the Royal Philharmonic, in Carmen. At age 29, he assumed the lead role of Escamillo, Carmen's lover. Also in 2010, he starred in The History of the Big Bands tour, a show which takes the audience on a musical journey through the big band and swing era.

Campbell was born in Glasgow on 19 August 1980 to a Scottish mother, Avril Campbell, and an Iranian father, Booth Danesh; his family live in Bearsden. The eldest of three boys, his younger brothers are Aria (born 1983) and Cyrus (born 1995). He attended Bearsden Primary School and the Glasgow Academy, before going on to study English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.

2001–2002: Popstars and Pop Idol

Campbell's professional career began with a non-singing role in the Scottish Opera's avant garde 1990s production of The Trojans. As a teenager he then performed at Covent Garden Royal Opera House with the Scottish Opera in a production of Carmen.

Campbell first gained fame in 2001 after appearing on the British talent competition Popstars. 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.

2002–2004: Colourblind and Dive In

The first single written by Campbell, "Colourblind", was released on 29 July 2002 and entered the UK singles chart at number 1, staying at the top of the charts for two weeks; it was certified silver.

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. He subsequently had five UK top ten singles and a second gold album.

He wrote all 12 songs on the Dive In album and produced one of the tracks called "Better Than That" whilst collaborating with a number of other producers such as The Misfits and The Matrix on the other tracks. Steve Lillywhite was executive producer on the album. Campbell, then performing as Darius Danesh, supported Shakira on her world tour and went on to complete his own sell-out UK Dive In Tour.

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.

2004–2005: Sink or Swim book and Live Twice

His book Sink or Swim, about the perils of the music business, was a Sunday Times sixth best seller. He contributed to the War Child charity album with Coldplay and Oasis and headlined in India with Alanis Morissette after his album went platinum there.

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. In 2005, the album's title-track Live Twice became his fifth Top Ten single.

2005–2008: Chicago and Guys and Dolls

Campbell had two West End runs in Chicago 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.

In 2007, after seeing Ewan McGregor in the role, he played the lead in Michael Grandage's Olivier Award-winning production of Guys and Dolls, starring as Sky Masterson. Later that year he reprised his role of Billy Flynn for the 10th Anniversary charity performance of Chicago in London, to benefit the charities Breast Cancer Haven and Breast Health Institute.

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.

2010–2011: Popstar to Operastar

In January and February 2010 Campbell won the UK's ITV1 talent show Popstar to Operastar, in which eight pop stars were trained to perform famous opera arias. He was mentored by tenor Rolando Villazón, with whom he went on to duet on the song "The Impossible Dream". In May 2010 he appeared as toreador Escamillo in Bizet's opera Carmen at The O2 Arena in London. At age 29, he assumed the lead role of Carmen's lover. Also in 2010 he starred inThe History of the Big Bands tour – a show about the Big Band and Swing Era, featuring the songs of Frank Sinatra and the music of the key musicians of the big band era, including music from Harry James, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich.

2013: From Here to Eternity the Musical

On 1 July 2013, it was announced that Campbell would play the lead role of Warden in the show From Here to Eternity the Musical.

2015: Funny Girl

Campbell played Nick Arnstein in Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre in the West End, following a transfer from the Menier Chocolate Factory in April 2016.

Television

In 2003, Campbell appeared as himself in an episode of the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, performing "Girl in the Moon" at a graduation ball. In 2009, he guest starred on the BBC show Hotel Babylon as Gennaro Fazio, an Italian magazine editor.

In January and February 2010, Campbell competed in and won the ITV talent show Popstar to Operastar, in which eight pop stars were trained to perform world-famous opera arias. He was mentored by world-leading tenor Rolando Villazón, with whom he went on to duet on the song "The Impossible Dream".

Charity

Campbell was an Ambassador for The Prince's Trust, helping underprivileged youth. Hedesigned a guitar for Guitar Aid. He worked with and supported the Lymphoma Association and Cancer Research UK, in addition to other cancer charities.

Campbell married Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge in a secret ceremony in February 2011. They filed for divorce in July 2013. The divorce was finalised in February 2018.

It was announced in a statement from his family on 16 August 2022 that Campbell was found unresponsive on 11 August 2022 in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota and was pronounced dead later that day. His family reported there were no suspicious circumstances or signs of intent surrounding his death.

The statement from the family 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."

• Dive In (2002)
• Live Twice (2004)