Darius Campbell Danesh's former on-off girlfriend ex-beauty queen Claire Caudwell has paid tribute to the late Pop Idol singer after his tragic death aged 41 on 11 August.
News emerged of his passing on 16 August after his family released statement revealing that he had been found "unresponsive" in his Minnesota, US, apartment.
Claire, 53, who is the former wife of Darius' friend, Phones4U founder John Caudwell, told MailOnline that she and Darius had enjoyed an 18-month relationship but that the pair had remained "great friends" following their split about three years ago.
She posted a number of snaps of herself with Darius and her family to Instagram on Wednesday as she wrote about her "heavy heart" at his passing.
Her caption read: "This post is done with the heaviest hearts right now as I’ve heard the news today as one of my most treasured friends has suddenly passed.
"Im beyond shocked and saddened and my love and deepest condolences go to his wonderful family . I’m sure my love , you’re singing to the angels . You were my angel Darius my love."
Speaking to MailOnline about her relationship with Darius, Claire explained how she met Darius "about 18-years-ago when he came out of Pop Idol and he was doing the celebrity circuit."
"He came to our Caudwell Children charity ball as a guest to support us back then," she added.
She then revealed that there were other events over the years before she didn't see him for "10 years or more" after he moved to the US and married his ex-wife Natasha.
Claire said of their relationship after they reconnected: "It was pretty much on and off because he was touring with the show [Funny Girl] for the next few months, so we got together as and when.
"I went to join him on a couple of the shows and then he went to LA, so I didn’t see him for a little while longer, but then I went over to LA. It was a bit hit and miss, and on off, although always with a friendship."
She then explained how the relationship fell apart, saying: "He was doing so much work, and I just decided it was best that we stayed friends. There was no drama or fall out. It just seemed to make sense, and we remained friends.
"I wanted to have a partner who could spend more time with me. We must have spent about 18 months together on or off."
It seems there was no bad blood between Darius and Claire's former husband John, who she shares a son, Jacobi, with and was married to for 15 years until 2014, as John posted his own tribute to Twitter about his "close family friend" after his passing.
John also shared a number of touching videos of Darius performing and singing songs with John's elderly mother before she passed away, and a couple of photos Claire shared included these tender moments between Darius and the Caudwell family.
He wrote: "If there’s an afterlife, I hope they can reunite for another duet. My deepest condolences to Darius’ family, friends and many fans."
READ MORE:
Darius Campbell Danesh's ex-wife Natasha Henstridge pays emotional tribute after star's death
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Darius Danesh's life after Pop Idol from West End stardom to Hollywood
Darius Danesh's incredible Pop Idol stint – from audition to snubbing Simon Cowell's offer
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