Former Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman appeared emotional as he appeared on TV to pay tribute to his friend Darius Campbell Danesh following the sad news of his death. The singer and theatre star's family confirmed on Tuesday (August 16) that he had died aged 41 last week.
They said in a statement that Campbell Danesh had been "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". Local police confirmed there were “no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances”, with the cause of his sudden death unknown at this stage, the family added.
The Scottish singer and actor, who rose to fame when he appeared the hit ITV show Popstars, which formed the band Hear'Say, in 2001 before appearing on Pop Idol the following year and finished in third place behind Gareth Gates in second and winner Will Young, was living in the US and who would have turned 42 on August 19.
Pete appeared on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday (August 17), where he told viewers about how close he was with the late star and how he was still finding it hard to process the fact that he's gone. The legendary record producer's voice quivered as BBC host Jon Kay said: "I was watching you Pete as you and we all watched and listened to those clips of Darius performing, and you were just sort of shaking your head.
"Almost struggling to take in this news that he's no longer with us." Pete's appeared choked as he replied: "No... it was a phone call I never expected yesterday, to be honest, and I still am finding it difficult to come to terms with it." He continued: "Because I had tea with him just before lockdown and he wanted me to go to America and work with him and help him out in making the big bill. So it's all a bit surreal, really."
Talking about what Darius was like, Pete went on: "He was such a gentle, polite and nice person. He really was what you saw on television. He was just so talented, but so polite. He became a great friend because I stood up for him."
Also speaking later on Good Morning Britain, Pete said the singer "could have gone on to be bigger than Michael Buble" and that Darius was planning a musical comeback. He told hosts Rob Rinder and Charlotte Hawkins on the ITV show: "I met him a week before lockdown and we were talking about me going to work with him in the States to mentor him because he wanted to get back into music. Darius could have gone on to be bigger than Michael Buble because he’d got that talent."
Speaking about their friendship, the hit maker said: "We became great friends because I did champion him. He was the most lovely person. He never called me Pete. He always called me Peter. At 41, my heart goes out to his family because it’s terrible losing a sibling. He was just brilliant.
"The word gentleman is overused but not in Darius’ case. So quiet, so polite, so gentle, I guess he was the perfect person. So gentle. No cross words. He didn’t get angry."
Music mogul Simon Cowell, who Darius famously turned down his offer of a record deal, said the singer’s death was a “tragedy”, saying: “He was charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with." Other Pop Idol alumni remembered the star with runner-up Gareth Gates saying he was "heartbroken" at the news, adding: "Darius took me under his wing during our time in Pop Idol, like a big brother; always looking out for me and for that I thank you my friend."
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