Oscar nominee and Normal People star Paul Mescal has described his “fury” after a fan groped his backside.
Mescal said he was outside London’s Almeida Theatre, where he’s starring in an acclaimed production of A Streetcar Named Desire, when a woman asked for a photo.
“As we posed for it, she put her hand on my ass. I thought it was an accident, so I like (moved away) but the hand followed,” he told ES Magazine.
“I remember tensing up and feeling just, like, fury. I turned to her and said, ‘What’re you doing? Take your hand off my ass’.”
The 27-year-old said it was “uncomfortable for everyone involved” and he didn’t want to “call somebody out in front of the theatre”, but that “it was so gross, creepy”.
However, Mescal described his experience of fame so far as overwhelmingly positive.
“97% of it is really nice – then 3% is somebody, like, grabbing your ass,” he said.
The Irish actor entered the spotlight after starring with Daisy Edgar-Jones in the 2020 adaptation of Sally Rooney novel Normal People.
His breakout role in the BBC series saw him portrayed by some fans and media as a sex symbol.
Mescal will be thrust into the Hollywood limelight at next month’s Oscars, where he is nominated for his role in coming-of-age film Aftersun.
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He told The Hollywood Reporter the best actor nod was “a big surprise” and that he was looking forward to the famous Oscars afterparties.
“I’m hoping that the Oscars afterparties are going to be fun – because I think the Irish can show up in that setting,” he said.
His compatriots Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Kerry Condon are all nominated for their roles in The Banshees Of Inisherin.
“I feel like [Irish actors] always over-represented ourselves,” Mescal added. “Just in terms of population, we’re punching above our weight.”
Former Pop Idol contestant and theatre star Darius Campbell Danesh has died at the age of 41, his family has announced.
The singer was found dead in his US apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, on 11 August – but his cause of death is not yet known.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh,” a statement issued by his family read.
Image: The singer pictured on Popstars. Image: ITV/Shutterstock
“Darius was found unresponsive in bed in his apartment room.
“The local police department have confirmed that there were no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances. The cause of his sudden death is unknown at this stage, while medical examinations continue.
“We ask that you kindly respect our wishes for privacy at this time whilst we come to terms with the tragic loss of our son and brother.”
Image: Darius Campbell Danesh on Pop Idol in 2002. Pic: Fremantle Media/Shutterstock
Born in Glasgow to a Scottish mother and Iranian father, Campbell Danesh was the eldest of three boys and went to Bearsden Primary School before studying English literature and philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.
He first rose to prominence on the ITV show Popstars in 2001, where he became known for his audition performance of Britney’s Baby One More Time.
He later came third on the first series of Pop Idol, which was won by Will Young, with some of his memorable performances including renditions of Tom Jones’s hit It’s Not Unusual and Atomic Kitten’s Whole Again.
His debut single, Colourblind, was released in July 2002 and went straight to number one.
The Scottish singer-songwriter later had a successful theatre career, appearing in the West End shows such as Chicago, in which he played Billy Flynn, Guys And Dolls, Gone With The Wind and Funny Girl.
Campbell Danesh starred opposite Ugly Betty star America Ferrera in the musical set in prohibition-era Chicago.
Speaking about his role as Flynn, the actor had previously said he based his portrayal of the character on his old mentor and Pop Idol judge, Simon Cowell.
Image: Darius Campbell Danesh and Sheridan Smith in the musical Funny Girl in 2015. Pic: Dan Wooller/Shutterstock
“He’s the consummate businessman and a wonderful guy and there’s a lot of Simon Cowell in Billy Flynn in terms of the way he approaches things and I recognise that in terms of the character,” he said.
He credited Mr Cowell with persuading him to take on the role in the first place, saying he was “incredibly grateful” for his the opportunities he had been given and “to be able to call Simon Cowell a friend”.
After Pop Idol, he won the first series of ITV’s Popstar To Operastar contest in 2010, beating Bernie Nolan of the Nolan Sisters in a close final.
A few months after his win, which featured Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins and Mexican-born tenor Rolando Villazon as judges, he landed his first major opera role in the production of Carmen at London’s O2 Arena, playing the principal role of toreador Escamillo.
Image: Pic: James Gourley/Shutterstock
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In the same year, Campbell Danesh spoke to Hello! magazine about a car crash in which he broke his neck.
He had been a passenger in a Porsche when it crashed into a wall at 70mph in Spain after skidding on oil.
In 2011 in Santa Barbara, California, he married Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge, known for her role in the sci-fi film Species.
However, the couple were divorced a few years later.
‘A true gent with a kind soul and a mischievous twinkle in his eye’
News of his death prompted tributes from figures in music and television, with fellow pop star Michelle Heaton saying her thoughts were with his family.
The Liberty X member, who also competed on Popstars, tweeted: “So sad… thoughts with Darius family right now, always our Britney.”
English-born actor Matthew Marsden described the news as “truly heartbreaking”.
He added: “I first met Darius when he auditioned for the Big Breakfast weather many years ago. He was a terrific human being. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
TV and radio presenter Nicki Chapman, who starred as a judge on Popstars while Campbell Danesh was a contestant, described him as a true gent with a kind soul and a mischievous twinkle in his eye”.
“There will only ever be one Darius Campbell Danesh,” she added.
“From that eventful first audition on Popstars to him kindly inviting me to see him perform on the West End stage. Thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
After both of his parents were diagnosed with cancer and recovered, Campbell Danesh became a supporter of several charities, including Cancer Research UK.
