Music producer and former Pop Idol judge Peter Waterman has paid tribute to his friend Darius Danesh.
The Pop Idol singer was found dead in his Rochester, Minnesota, apartment on August 11 at the age of 41, as police continue to investigate his mysterious death.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Pete described Darius as “the perfect person” when he revealed that they had been in contact recently and planned to work together on the star’s return to music.
Friends: Music producer and former Pop Idol judge Peter Waterman has paid tribute to his friend Darius Danesh
“He was an incredible talent – we became great friends as I championed him when he was on Pop Idol,” Pete, who met the singer on the ITV reality show, explained to GMB presenters Charlotte Hawkins and Rob Rinder.
‘He was the most charming person. He never called me Pete. He always called me Pedro. He was so educated and so talented.
“At 41, my heart goes out to his family because it is terrible to lose a brother. It was just brilliant.
The word gentleman is overused, but not in the case of Darius. So calm, so polite, so gentle, I guess he was the perfect person. So gentle. No cross words. He didn’t get angry.
The famous producer added that he and Darius met a week before the Covid 2020 lockdown and talked about working together.
Loss: Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Pete described Darius as “the perfect person” when he revealed that they were in contact recently and planned to work together
“We were talking about going to work with him in the States to mentor him because he wanted to get back into music.”
‘Darius wanted to do too much. He was too talented. Darius could have become bigger than Michael Bublé.
I know it sounds silly, but sometimes you have to focus on what you really want.
Pete first met Darius through his role as a judge on Pop Idol in 2002. Darius finished third on the ITV show behind familiar names Will Young and Gareth Gates.
“He knew he couldn’t win Pop Idol, but he knew he’d be in the top three and that’s what he wanted.”
Return of music: The famous producer added that he and Darius met a week before the Covid 2020 lockdown and talked about working together.
After Pop Idol, Darius turned down Simon Cowell’s record offer and signed with producer Steve Lillywhite, whose credits include U2 and the Rolling Stones.
Her debut single, Colourblind, was released in July 2002 and went straight to number one, marking the beginning of a series of top 10 releases.
Pete commented that it was “the icing on the cake” when Darius turned down Pop Idol boss Cowell, “since Darius was in charge, that was his problem as he couldn’t be controlled.” Sometimes you need to step back and let people help you.
“I was so proud of Colourblind, I’d be so happy if it was number one again now.”
Sources close to Darius claim that he had been very “excited” about his return home from Pop Idol, and his trip back to the UK, just weeks before his death.
Where it started: The stars of 2002’s Pop Idol, including Simon (back row, center) Will Young, Gareth Gates (white suit, center), and Darius (far right) with Pete at center
The entertainment world was shaken by the news of the death of the Scottish singer and actor who was found dead in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11, although the cause of death is unknown.
Police have said there were “no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances” so far as they await toxicology reports as they investigate the late Pop Idol star’s death.
Simon Cowell, 63, led tributes to the late singer as the music mogul released a statement honoring the star who passed away exactly 20 years after topping the charts with his critically acclaimed single Colourblind. .
Darius turned down a record deal from Cowell, but the two have remained friends over the years, meeting at an X Factor party and taping. me
It was also revealed that the late star recently visited Simon’s house in Malibu at night to attend the party and taping of the judges’ houses.
Simon told MailOnline: “I first saw Darius on TV over 20 years ago and got to know him very well. He was charismatic, funny and just a great person to be around.
“His passing, for someone so young, is an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to his family and friends.”
Darius was found dead in an apartment block where short-term residents often work or receive treatment at the famous Mayo Clinic hospital opposite, MailOnline can reveal today.
Darius lived in The Berkman Apartments, a two-year-old building set over seven stories that advertises itself as Rochester’s “premier address for short- and long-term elegantly furnished suites and residential living.”
Tributes: Gareth Gates paid tribute to his ‘older brother’ Darius after he was found dead in his apartment at the age of 41
Most of the tenants who live at The Berkman, which has about 270 long-term rentals and 75 short-term or nightly rentals, work or receive treatment at Mayo Clinic’s 1,265-bed Saint Marys campus across the street. street.
The campus, opened in 1889, has 70 operating rooms and ten intensive care units, specializing in cardiac treatment, transplants, epilepsy monitoring, neonatal intensive care, psychiatry, neurosurgery and rehabilitation.
The Berkman is specifically marketed as being close to the hospital, and their website title is ‘Berkman Apartments across from Mayo Clinic’ and their description reads, ‘Directly across from Mayo Clinic Saint Marys Hospital.’
The Rochester Police Department said it responded to a “deceased person call” at 11:53 a.m. Aug. 11 at The Berkman, and the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office identified the person as Darius.
It is not yet known if Darius had any ties to the Mayo Clinic. A spokesperson for the Rochester Police Department said: “The investigation into his cause of death is still pending. No known threat to the public.
A police dispatch call was made when a ‘medical’ kit was requested for a ‘possibly deceased’ person, The Sun reported. Minutes later, another call was allegedly made from an operator saying: ‘You don’t need to answer. We will be waiting for RPD [Rochester Police Department] to get to the scene. We will secure the residence.
Police have said there were “no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances” so far as they awaited toxicology reports. Darius lived in the United States and had been in a relationship with Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge.
Among the last people to be photographed with Darius before his death was actor Gerard Butler (pictured right with his friend in Malibu, California on June 11), who had reportedly traveled to Rochester, Minnesota, in recent months.
