Darius Danesh
19/08/1980
Show History:
Current Role
Darius Danesh, winner of ITV's reality show, Popstar To Operastar, recently played the role of Escamillo in The O2's three-night run of Bizet's Carmen.Early Life
Danesh was born in 1980 to an Iranian father and a Scotish mother. He was educated at the Glasgow Academy and went on to study English Literature and Philosophy at the Edinburgh University.A talented and charismatic guy, Danesh rose to fame Popstars in 2001 and although he didn't make it into the final band, re-auditioning for the series's successor, Pop Idol. He was unsuccessful, however, was offered a record contract and his first release Colourblind topped the UK singles chart in 2002 and remains one of his best-loved songs.
Career Highlights
Darius's theatre career began when he starred as Billy Flynn in the hit West End show Chicago (2005). A talented and spirited actor, Darius also took over from Hollywood A-listar Ewan McGregor as Michael Grandage in the award-winning production of Guys and Dolls (2007) and played the role of Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind (2008).Danesh won the UK's ITV1 show Popstar to Operastar and went on to play Escamillo in the O2's three-night run of Bizet's Carmen — the biggest Operatic production ever in the UK.
Interesting Facts
- Darius really shot to fame when the producers of Popstars released the footage of his unexpected version of Britney Spears's Hit Me Baby One More Time
- Being offered the role of the romantic lead in Chicago at only 25 made him the youngest ever actor to star as Billy Flynn.
Awards
- Darius was nominated for a Great Scot Award by The Mail on Sunday
