Ant and Dec pay heartfelt tribute to Pop Idol star Darius following his tragic death at 41

TV presenters Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have issued a heartfelt tribute to Darius Campbell Danesh following his tragic death. The Scottish singer, 41, was found in his apartment in Minnesota on August 11, his family announced in a statement on Tuesday evening. The cause of his death remains unknown.

Darius found fame on the ITV talent search shows Popstars and Pop Idol in the early noughties. He finished in third place after Gareth Gates and winner Will Young on Pop Idol in 2002. Ant and Dec, both 46, co-hosted Pop Idol which saw Darius go on to top the UK singles chart with his song Colourblind. His self-penned hit was number one for two weeks and soared to number one on the iTunes chart following the heartbreaking news of his death.

Writing on Twitter on Wednesday Ant and Dec remembered the 'laughs' they enjoyed together during Pop Idol. They said: "We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh at such a tragically young age. We had many laughs with him on his Pop Idol journey. Our hearts go out to his lovely family. #RIP."

READ MORE: Liberty X and Pop Idol stars lead tributes to Darius with calls to get Colourblind back to number one

Liberty X member Jessica Taylor, whose group was formed on Popstars in 2001, tweeted: "I'm so sad. Darius was only 41. He was an absolute gentleman and I know all of us who did Popstars with him will remember him with huge fondness. "

She added: "He had a way of bringing us all together and had such a natural warmth about him. Rest in peace lovely man." And bandmate Michelle Heaton tweeted: "So sad... thoughts with Darius family right now x always our Britney."

TV and radio presenter Nicki Chapman, who was a judge on Popstars and Pop Idol, paid tribute