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

Liberty X stars and Pop Idol judge Nicky Campbell have led tributes to former Pop Idol contestant Darius Campbell Danesh who has been found dead in his US apartment. The singer and theatre star, 41, was found in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 with the cause of his death currently remaining unknown.

The Scottish pop star rose to fame in 2001 when he appeared on the hit ITV show Popstars, which formed the band Hear'Say, and performed his own memorable twist on the Britney Spears classic Baby One More Time. The following year he returned to our screens on ITV's next talent search show Pop Idol.

He came third after winner Will Young and Gareth Gates in second place. Darius then went on to top the UK singles charts with his catchy pop song Colourblind and he paved a successful musical career, appearing in Chicago as Billy Flynn for two runs of the production.

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Liberty X member Jessica Taylor, whose group was formed on Popstars, 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 to "true gent" Darius. She tweeted: "There will only ever be one Darius Campbell Danesh. A true gent with a kind soul and mischievous tinkle in his eye. "From that eventful first audition on Popstars to him kindly inviting me to see him perform on