| Darius Campbell | |
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 Darius Campbell, singer-songwriter & actor
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Darius Campbell-Danesh |
| Also known as | Darius Danesh, Darius |
| Born | 19 August 1980 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genres | Acoustic, rock, jazz |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, actor, musician, music producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano, saxophone, violin |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | 19 |
| Website | http://www.dariusmusic.com/ |
Darius Campbell[1] (born Darius Campbell-Danesh;[1] 19 August 1980) is a Scottish singer, songwriter, and West End stage actor who was previously known professionally as Darius Danesh or Darius. He rose to fame in 2002 after finishing in third place on the British TV talent show Pop Idol, and in 2010 he won the UK's ITV1 show Popstar to Operastar.
His first, self-penned single "Colourblind" entered the UK singles chart at number one, and his debut album went platinum under the guidance of producer Steve Lillywhite. He has had five UK Top Ten singles.
His theatre work has included two West End runs in the musical Chicago playing Billy Flynn; starring as Sky Masterson in the Olivier Award winning Guys and Dolls; and originating the role of Rhett Butler in Trevor Nunn’s musical adaptation of Gone with the Wind.
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Campbell was born in Glasgow, to Iranian father, Dr Booth Danesh, and Scottish mother, Dr Avril Danesh, née Campbell.[1] He has two younger brothers, Cyrus and Aria. Educated at the Glasgow Academy,[2] he went on to study English Literature and Philosophy at Edinburgh University.
His professional career began playing a ten-year-old Trojan boy in a non-singing role in the Scottish Opera's avant garde 1990s production of The Trojans. As a teenager he then performed twice with the Scottish Opera in a critically acclaimed production of Carmen.[3][4]
While studying English Literature and Philosophy at Edinburgh University, he auditioned for the television show Popstars, reaching the final stages. His rendition of Britney Spears's "...Baby One More Time" proved particularly notorious. As a result, his appearance on Pop Idol in 2001 created much publicity. He failed to reach the final 10, but was granted a reprieve when Rik Waller withdrew from the competition, eventually finishing third.
After the series final, he turned down Simon Cowell's offer to sing cover songs,[5] and instead sent a self-composed track to producer Steve Lillywhite who signed him to a five-album deal. In 2002 Colourblind became Darius' first number one single and his self-penned album Dive In went platinum.[5]
Campbell went on to support Shakira in Paris on her World Tour[5] and completed his own sell-out UK Dive In Tour. He contributed to the War Child charity album[6] with Coldplay and Oasis and headlined in India with Alanis Morissette[7] after his album went platinum there. He also wrote a no. 6 Sunday Times Best Seller book, "Sink or Swim".
After receiving news that his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he wrote and dedicated his second studio album Live Twice to Dr Booth Danesh.[5] In 2005, the album's title-track "Live Twice" became his fifth Top Ten single.[8]
A third studio album is planned which he has been writing and recording in London and Los Angeles.
Campbell had two West End runs in Chicago[8] during 2005-2006, and at 25, officially became the youngest actor to fill the role of Billy Flynn since the show first opened on Broadway in 1975.
In 2007 he starred as Sky Masterson in Michael Grandage's Olivier Award winning production of Guys and Dolls.[9] Later that year he reprised his role of Billy Flynn for the 10th Anniversary charity performance of Chicago in London, to benefit the charities Breast Cancer Haven and Breast Health Institute.[10]
In 2008 he returned to London's West End to originate the role of Rhett Butler in Sir Trevor Nunn's musical adaptation of Gone With The Wind.[11] It officially opened at the New London Theatre on 22 April 2008, the production closing on 14 June, 2008, after 79 performances (including previews).
In 2009 he guest-starred in episode six of the fourth series of the BBC show Hotel Babylon, starring as Gennaro Fazio, an Italian magazine editor.[12]
In January and February 2010 Campbell competed in and won the UK's ITV1 show Popstar to Operastar, in which eight pop stars were trained to perform world-famous opera arias; the pop stars being mentored by tenor Rolando Villazon and Katherine Jenkins. He won the final show against Bernie Nolan after the other six pop stars were voted out by the public.
Campbell works with the Lymphoma Association and also as a Prince's Trust Ambassador, working with underprivileged youth. He has also designed a guitar for Guitar Aid to raise funds and stimulate communities in some of the world's poorest countries.[13]
He had a relationship with Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge of Species fame however they have broken off their engagement.[1]
In January 2010 it was announced that he would be using the surname Campbell instead of Danesh.[1] He stated during a TV interview on GMTV that his surname was originally the double-barrelled Campbell-Danesh but as a recording artist he was known just as Darius; the surname Danesh was added when he gave his first interview so he didn't get the choice of which surname to use. His Campbell grandfather is proud that he is continuing his Scottish surname.[3]
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