Darius Campbell (born Darius Campbell-Danesh, 19 August 1980), also known professionally either as Darius Danesh or Darius, is a Scottish platinum-selling singer-songwriter, a West End stage actor, an operatic baritone, an author, and an Ambassador for The Prince's Trust.He performed the role of Billy Flynn in the West End production of Chicago, the youngest ever to play that part, in two runs of the musical. He played both the lead role of Sky Masterson in the Olivier Award winning Guys and Dolls, and the originating role of Rhett Butler in Sir Trevor Nunn's theatrical adaptation of Gone with the Wind.In 2010 he trained with tenor Rolando Villazón, won the hit ITV competition Popstar to Operastar, and performed a duet with Villazón on "The Impossible Dream." The United Kingdom's biggest operatic production ever was the occasion of his operatic début, at The O2 arena with the Royal Philharmonic, in Carmen. At 29, he became the youngest performer to assume the lead role of Carmen's lover, a role more often awarded to a baritone in his forties. Also in 2010 he starred in The History of the Big Bands tour, a show which takes the audience on a musical journey through the Big Band and Swing era.
With all the music I like, I want to believe the person that's singing. It doesn't affect me if I hear a pop song that's sung by a prepubescent kid who doesn't know what it's really like to fall in love and have your heart broken. Hopefully I can say at the tender age of 21 that I've had my heart broken and maybe I've broken a heart along the way too.
2
"Can you feel the love in the room".
#
Fact
1
Originated the role of First Sergeant Milt Warden in the 2013 musical From Here to Eternity: The Musical, which began previews on September 30, 2013, before officially opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End on October 23, 2013. The production closed on March 29, 2014.
2
Originated the role of Rhett Butler in the 2008 musical Gone with the Wind, which began previews on April 5, 2008, before officially opening at the New London Theatre in London's West End on April 22, 2008. The production closed on June 14, 2008, after 79 performances.
3
Completed two West End runs in Chicago between 2005 and 2006, and at 25, he became the youngest actor to play the role of Billy Flynn since the show first opened on Broadway in 1975.
4
Starred as Nicky Arnstein in the 2015 revival of Funny Girl, which began previews on November 20, 2015, before officially opening at the Menier Chocolate Factory on December 2, 2015 for a limited run to March 5, 2016. The production co-stars Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice, with direction by Michael Mayer and a revised book by Harvey Fierstein. The entire run sold out within a day, becoming the Menier's fastest selling show on record, and after completing its run there, the show transferred to London's Savoy Theatre on April 9, 2016, for a run through to September 10, 2016, before being subsequently extended until October 8, 2016 due to phenomenal public demand.
5
In May 2010, shortly after winning the first series of Popstar to Operastar (2010), he was cast as toreador Escamillo in a new production of Georges Bizet's opera Carmen at The O2 arena in London, becoming, at age 29, the youngest performer to assume the lead role of Carmen's lover, a role more often played by a baritone in his forties.
6
Darius and fiancée Natasha Henstridge called off their three year engagement in January 2010. They later became engaged again and were married on Valentine's Day 2011, but divorced in 2013.
7
Was named Clinton Cards' Male Celebrity Valentine of the Year 2005.
8
He turned down a place at Oxford in order to be near his family, and instead chose to study English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.
9
Attended Bearsden Primary School and the Glasgow Academy.
10
His debut single, "Colourblind", debuted and peaked at number 1 on the UK singles chart, eventually being certified Silver for sales in excess of 200,000 copies.
11
His debut album, entitled Dive In, peaked at number 6 on the UK album chart, eventually being certified Platinum for sales in excess of 300,000 copies.
12
Has a younger brother called Cyrus.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
This Morning
2014
TV Series performer - 1 episode
EastEnders
2003-2005
TV Series performer - 4 episodes
Pop Idol
TV Series performer - 9 episodes, 2001 - 2003 writer - 1 episode, 2003