Coldplay remembered Pop Idol icon Darius Campbell Danesh at Wembley gig
(Picture: ES Composite)Coldplay paid tribute to Darius Campbell Danesh at their sold out show at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night.
Coldplay is the latest band to remember the 41-year-old Pop Idol star who died after being found "unresponsive" at his apartment in Minnesota, US, on August 11.
Before closing out the latest leg of their Music of the Spheres world tour, the band’s frontman Chris Martin said: "We are going to send love from Wembley out to the world. We are going to send it to Darius's family, our old friend Darius, and to Ukraine."
Confetti cannons were then set off, with one concert-goer tweeting: "Loved Chris Martin giving a nod to Darius’s passing tonight at @coldplay."
In a statement released earlier this week, Campbell 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 local police department has 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.”
Since then, tributes have poured in for the late star from the likes of music mogul and former Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell, presenters Ant and Dec, and Campbell Danesh’s ex-wife, actress Nathasha Henstridge.
Cowell, 62, said in a statement: "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, for someone so young, is an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to his family and friends."
The West End star was said to have been thrilled to be "in talks" to appear on a Pop Idol reunion special just weeks before his death.
He became a household name on the talent show in 2002, where he made the final three alongside runner-up Gareth Gates and winner Will Young.
According to a source, the trio was set to reunite for a one-off programme due to be filmed in London next month and the singer was "really excited".
"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,” the friend told The Sun.
"I spoke to Darius recently and he was in good spirits — he was his usual happy self."
The cause of his death is not yet known, but his loved ones also stated that local police had ruled out any "signs of intent or suspicious circumstances".
