Darius Danesh and his partner Natasha Henstridge have reportedly decided to call off their engagement.

According to Us Weekly, the pair made the choice because it was too difficult to maintain a long-distance relationship.

"They tried to make it work," a source said. "They both really care about one another but their careers took them in different directions. Darius is spending a lot of time in the UK, as Natasha is based in Los Angeles. They are sad but they will remain great friends."

A spokesperson for Henstridge confirmed the news, explaining: "Natasha and Darius are no longer engaged, but they do remain friends."

Danesh, who is currently starring in Popstar To Operastar, moved in with the Eli Stone actress in 2006 after they had been dating for two years.

Singer Darius Danesh has changed his name in honour of the elderly grandfather who is his biggest fan.

The ex- pop Idol singer, who returns to the reality show format tonight with ITV's Popstar to Operastar, took the decision after visiting maternal grandfather Colin Campbell,78, in a Glasgow hospital before Christmas.

Darius explains:"He got quite emotional and said he was proud of me and wherever I would go in life I'd always be a Campbell and always be Scottish and he loved me. That just did something to me. it's really as simple as that."

The 29 year old singer who is engaged to Species film starNatasha Henstridge, denied the change of name had caused a rift between him and Iranian born father Booth 67, and mother Avril.

He also scoffed at the speculation that he had adopted Campbell o make life easier given the current anti-Middle East bias on his adopted home of Los Angeles. " It is nothing like that. my name has always been Darius Campbell-Danesh." "When iIwas introduced on Pop Idol I was told I was going to be Darius Danesh. When iIgot my recording contract they wanted just my first name."

When working in the United states, he explains, he meets people who are confused by his Scottish accent and the name Danesh. "My dad is very supportive," he said " the heart of the reason is an emotional one."

In the new reality show, pop artists discover if they've got what it takes to perform opera. Tutored by Katherine jenkins and famed tenor Rolando Villazon, the eight contestants - including Blur's Alex James and Jimmy Osmond - will be performing classical pieces.

Darius has vowed to win the show after failing with Pop Idol and the early closure of the Gone With The Wind musical, in which he starred as Rhett Butler.

It's not their aria of expertise... but that won’t stop eight pop acts bidding for opera stardom.

Corrie’s Kym Marsh is already clearing her throat in readiness for ITV1’s new classical reality show, Popstar to Operastar.

Blur’s Alex James, Bernie Nolan, McFly’s Danny Jones, ex-Pop Idol star Darius Danesh, Shakespeare’s Sister’s Marcella Detroit, Jimmy Osmond and Vanessa White from girl band The Saturdays complete the line-up.

The artists will be trained to perform world-famous opera songs – with many singing in a different language for the first time. Welsh singing sensation Katherine Jenkins will mentor the stars, along with famed tenor Rolando Villazon.

And then – in a bizarre twist – they will be judged on their weekly efforts by rock legend Meat Loaf and makeover king and Classic FM DJ Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

A source said: “Thanks to Paul Potts, Rhydian and Il Divo, classical music is at the top of the charts.

“But can just anyone turn into a tremendous tenor or stunning soprano?”

Blur bassist James has five No1 albums under his belt, the Nolan sisters have sold more than 25 million records and McFly had seven No1 singles and two No1 albums.

Little Jimmy Osmond sold more than 100 million records with his siblings and is also a platinum-selling solo artist. Darius’s debut single and album went in at No1, Kym’s former band Hear’Say also had a chart-topping album and Marcella topped the hit parade for eight weeks with Shakespeare’s Sister’s hit Stay.

White’s band have enjoyed five top 10 singles since their debut in 2008.

Myleene Klass and Alan Titchmarsh will host the show, which kicks off on ITV1 on January 15.

FORMER chart-topper Darius Danesh has changed his surname to Campbell - sparking off a family row.

The ex-Pop Idol singer revealed his new moniker yesterday as he was unveiled as one of the stars of the ITV1 reality show Popstar To Operastar.

Campbell is the maiden name of the 29-year-old's GP mum Avril.

But the move left his own dad Booth dumbstruck.

Speaking from the family home in Bearsden, Glasgow, Darius's retired doctor dad Booth, 67, fumed: "He should just keep it Danesh because everyone knows him as that.

"He will be visiting soon and I will certainly be asking him about it then."

While Darius's agent Oriana Elia admitted: "I don't know why Darius has changed his surname."

The half-Scots half-Iranian hunk came third in ITV1 talent show Pop Idol in 2002 behind Gareth Gates and winner Will Young.

He topped the charts in the same year with his debut single Colourblind.

Darius has since starred in the West End shows Chicago and Guys And Dolls.

But his run in the stage version of Gone With The Wind in 2008 was cut short when the musical was a massive flop. He has since moved to America to live with his Hollywood fiancée Natasha Henstridge, 35, the star of hit film Species.

He will now appear as Darius Campbell in Popstar To Operastar, which will be hosted by Alan Titchmarsh and Myleene Klass.

The new series for ITV1 - aired later this year - follows the trials and tribulations as pop stars are re-trained as opera singers.

But one source claimed the name change was a shrewd showbiz move.

The insider said: "Hollywood has gone Scots crazy now that Gerard Butler is a big box office draw.

"So Campbell definitely sounds a lot more Scottish which will do Darius a world of good out there."