Darius Danesh

Darius Campbell (born in Scotland, 19 August 1980) is a Scottish platinum-selling singer-songwriter, an acclaimed West End stage actor, operatic baritone, Sunday Times best-selling author and an Ambassador for The Prince's Trust. He first gained fame in 2001 while studying English Literature at Edinburgh University, after appearing on the British talent competition Popstars- a year later millions voted him to the finals of the hit TV talent show Pop Idol. He famously turned down Simon Cowell's million-pound record deal and went on to sign with legendary grammy-winning U2 producer Steve Lillywhite. His first, self-penned single "Colourblind" entered the UK singles chart at number 1, his debut album went platinum in 2004 and he has subsequently had five UK Top Ten singles and a second gold album. He supported Shakira on her world tour, headlined in India with Alanis Morissette, and has performed live to over 1 million people. His book "Sink or Swim", about the perils of the music business, is a no. 6 Sunday Times best-seller. He established himself as a popular West End leading man: first by becoming the youngest actor ever to play the role of Billy Flynn in the West End or Broadway, in the musical Chicago, appearing in two successful runs; then starring in the Olivier Award winning Guys and Dolls as the lead Sky Masterson; and then originating the role of Rhett Butler in Sir Trevor Nunn’s theatrical adaptation of Gone with the Wind. Although the production was criticised for being too long, he won rave reviews for his portrayal of the iconic character. In 2010 he trained with world-leading tenor Rolando Villazon, winning the hit ITV1 competition Popstar to Operastar, and dueting with Rolando on "The Impossible Dream". He recently appeared in his debut Opera Carmen with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, in the biggest Operatic production ever in the UK, at The O2 arena. At 29, he became the youngest performer to take on the lead role of the Torreador "Escamillio", Carmen's bullfighting lover, which in the world of Opera is usually given to baritones in their early forties. He will star in The History of the Big Bands tour during 2010, a show which takes the audience on a musical journey through the times of the Big Band and Swing Era.