Darius Campbell Danesh's cause of death confirmed to have been 'inhalation of chloroethane'

The cause of death for former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh has been determined after the singer and actor was found dead in his apartment in Minnesota last month.

He died aged 41, and the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has now confirmed his cause of death as 'inhalation of chloroethane'.

Autopsy documents obtained by PA listed 'toxic effects of chloroethane' as well as 'suffocation' as having contributed to his death, which was ruled as an accident by the medical examiner.

A statement released by Campbell Danesh’s family previously said local police had found 'no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances'.

Chloroethane, also known as ethyl chloride, is a chemical used in the manufacture of solvents and dyes which has also been used as a street drug.

Inhalation of chloroethane can produce a number of short term effects including feelings of drunkenness, dizziness and euphoria.

The Scottish singer-songwriter and actor - who was known as Darius Danesh when he made his first bid for fame in ITV show Popstars in 2001 - also appeared on the first series of Pop Idol, which was won by Will Young.

While he did not win the competition, Darius was offered a record deal by Simon Cowell and turned it down to instead team up with producer Steve Lillywhite, whose credits include U2 and the Rolling Stones.

Fellow Pop Idol contestants Will Young and Gareth Gates paid tribute to the singer after his death was announced, describing him as 'driven, courageous and gentle'.

In a heartfelt tribute on his Instagram page, Young wrote: "For the past few days my thoughts have been with Darius’s family and will continue to be so.

"I found this picture a while ago taken during Pop Idol. If there was ever an example of not giving up on your dreams then Darius is top of the pile.

"Driven, courageous and gentle. My love goes to his family at this time x."

Gates said Campbell Danesh had taken him 'under his wing' while appearing together on the show and had been 'like a big brother, always looking out for me'.

He said: "I will miss our chats. He was one of the most beautiful, intelligent and gentle souls I was lucky enough to know, a soul that lit up every room."

Cowell said the singer was 'charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with', describing the death at just 41 years old as an 'absolute tragedy'.

Darius's first single 'Colourblind' released in 2002 and went to the top of the charts, while he also enjoyed success on the stage in musical performances at the West End.