Darius Campbell Danesh's ‘on-off’ girlfriend has paid tribute to the “treasured” singer.
The former Pop Idol star was found dead in his US apartment last week aged 41, his family confirmed.
Tributes have poured in from industry friends and family over the last few days – but now his former flame has spoken of her devastation.
Claire Caudwell, the former partner of phones4U founder John Caudwell, was dating the Colourblind chart-topper from around 2018.
The 53-year-old has since paid tribute to her “love” Darius.
“This post is done with the heaviest hearts right now as I’ve heard the news today as one of my most treasured friends has suddenly passed,” she penned alongside a picture of the singer on Instagram.
“I’m beyond shocked and saddened and my love and deepest condolences go to his wonderful family. I’m sure my love, you’re singing to the angels.”
“You were my angel. Darius my love,” she posted alongside a flurry of love heart emojis.
Claire began dating Scottish star Darius in around 2018, after his split from his Canadian actress wife Natasha Henstridge.
According to the MailOnline, she first met him around 14 years earlier when he supported events for the Caudwell Children charity, founded by her former partner.
It is also well-known that Darius was friends with her then partner John, he once famously visited his mother Beryl, singing songs at her bedside.
"We first met about 18-years-ago when he came out of Pop Idol and he was doing the celebrity circuit,” Claire told the Mail.
“He came to our Caudwell Children charity ball as a guest to support us back then. There were a couple of other charitable things we saw him at over the next couple of years.
“I didn’t see him after that for 10 years or more because he moved to America when he married Natasha. He was doing well there, and I never saw him.”
She described the relationship as “pretty much on and off” as, at the time, Darius was touring a lot.
Claire said she had joined him at a couple of shows but Darius was extremely busy – it was his schedule that led to the pair parting ways.
“I wanted to have a partner who could spend more time with me. We must have spent about 18 months together on or off,” she added.
The revelation comes after Darius’ hit song Colourblind reached the top of the iTunes charts this week following his tragic death.
Fans have branded it a “freaky coincidence” that the Pop Idol star’s song would reach the top spot once again two decades later.
“Number 1 in the uk charts 20 years ago today and back at number 1 in the iTunes Charts today! So so sad,” tweeted one fan who shared the news.
“Seeing Darius at number one on iTunes is making me weirdly emotional,” said another fan.
