Darius Danesh pictured with Gerard Butler before his death

Published 20:03 16 Aug 2022 BST

Steve Hopkins

Darius Danesh pictured with Gerard Butler before his death

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'There will only ever be one Darius Campbell Danesh'

Darius Danesh was pictured hanging out with Hollywood A-lister and friend Gerard Butler in a final photo taken of him before his death last week. The former Pop Idol was found unresponsive in his Minnesota apartment on August 11, his family announced in a statement on Tuesday evening, saying medical examiners later pronounced him dead. Danesh was 41. The family said police had confirmed there were "no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances", adding: "The cause of his sudden death is unknown at this stage while medical examinations continue." After news of his death broke, pictures of the star taken while he was walking a dog barefoot with his fellow-actor, near Butler's Malibu home, began to recirculate. The photo, according to the Mirror, was taken on June 11. Danesh also made friends with Rebel Wilson who he was pictured with in Portofino, Italy, in 2019. Danesh came third on Pop Idol behind Will Young and Gareth Gates in 2002 before reaching number one in the UK later that year with Colourblind. His album, Dive In, reached the top 10. The Scot then went on to become a West End star, appearing in musicals like Chicago and the Oliver Award-winning Guys and Dolls. Announcing his death in a statement, Danesh's family wrote: "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 family asked for privacy to grieve. "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." Popstars judge Nicki Chapman remembered the singer on social media, writing: "There will only ever be one Darius Campbell Danesh. "A true gent with a kind soul & mischievous tinkle in his eye. From that eventful first audition on Popstars to him kindly inviting me to see him perform on the West End stage. "Thoughts are with his family at this sad time." While X Factor alumni Rylan Clark tweeted: "Proper sad about Darius." West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher commented: "This is such sad news” with a broken heart emoji.