He was originally known as Darius Danesh, but in 2010, the late Pop Idol star announced that he'd changed his surname to Campbell.
Darius, who has passed away aged 41, made the big decision despite having already carved out a career using his original last name. The Glaswegian singer, known for tracks such as Colourblind and Kinda Love, opened up about how much the name Campbell meant to him, and how it helped him feel more connected to his Scottish heritage.
Speaking with the Daily Record at the time, Darius said he felt compelled to change his name after his Scottish grandfather sang him a song that "brought tears" to his eyes.
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Darius told the publication: "My real name is Darius Campbell-Danesh. On my credit card and passport, it has been Darius Campbell for the last two years. In the last five years, I have watched my dad go from a life-or-death scenario back to full health.
"I've taken on the responsibility of being effectively a stepfather to two young children. And I've reached a stage in my life where I ask, 'Who am I?'
"Before Christmas, I visited my grandad. He is originally from Greenock and he sang The Green Oak Tree to me. He sang it in such a way it brought tears to my eyes. He was in tears at the end of it, as well."
He continued: "He said to me, 'I am proud of you. No matter where you are in the world, you'll always be a Campbell. You'll always be a Scot and you'll always be my grandson'.
"At that point, I thought, 'I feel like Darius Campbell'. That's the name on my passport. It's the name on my credit card."
He also revealed that it wasn't his choice to drop Campbell from his name, stating that TV producers made the decision for him.
He continued: "Back in the day when I was introduced as Darius Danesh, I didn't ever have the choice. Someone at the studio in England dropped the Campbell without asking me."
Being very "proud" of his Scottish heritage, and keen not to lose it, Darius remarked upon the importance of "knowing where you are from" in a "very Americanised" world.
Darius went on to reflect that he felt "deeply Scottish" when travelling about the world, noting at the time that, although people knew him as Darius Danesh, he felt the name Darius Campbell better reflected his Scottish heritage.
In 2019, Darius changed his name once again, this time from Campbell back to Danesh, as a Father's Day tribute to his dad, Dr Booth Danesh.
Speaking with The Sun at the time, Darius explained: “My father is my number one hero. He was very generous when I changed my name to Campbell for my maternal grandfather after I buried him.
“I wanted people to know I was proud of my Scottish roots and still am, but it’s time to change back.”
