GERARD Butler has said he is "devastated" by the death of his "brother in arms" Darius Campbell Danesh in an emotional tribute tonight.
The Hollywood star had visited his "dear friend" in the days before the former Pop Idol singer was found dead at his US apartment on August 11.
The two Scots had become close friends in recent months and Gerard, 52, was seen at the apartment block opposite a private clinic where Darius, 41, was discovered "unresponsive" in Rochester, Minnesota.
His sudden death remains a mystery and his family may have to wait two months before finding out the cause of his death.
A-lister Gerard, who has starred in blockbusters including 300 and Olympus Has Fallen, has hailed Darius as "an incredible talent" with the "heart of a lion" in a heartbreaking tribute.
Writing on Instagram alongside a picture of the pair beaming together, he wrote: "I am devastated by the sudden passing of my dear friend Darius, a true brother in arms.
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"To those lucky enough to have met Darius for more than a few minutes, they were deeply moved by his infectious laugh and barely containable zest for life.
"He was always armed with a smile, a booming voice, and a genuinely warm embrace that few could resist-nor would they want to.
"He was an incredible talent, a singer whose voice touched your soul and an actor with great presence.
"But, most importantly, he had the heart of a lion. It was bigger and brighter than the sun and an energy so contagious he could light up a room in seconds."
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Gerard added that his "heart aches heavily" as he told how Colourblind singer Darius was "always constant in his passion for life".
He added: "But a bigger constant was his dream to inspire others to better themselves.
"He talked the talk but boy, did he walk the walk. He had such purity of thought, a deep wisdom and constant gratitude for people, for life, a compassion towards all."
The film star also spoke about how he intends to "beat my drum louder and celebrate life" in Darius' memory.
He added: "The universe unfolds in ways we may not agree with or even understand.
"He was an incredible talent, a singer whose voice touched your soul and an actor with great presence.
"Somewhere in there I believe there is, or will be, some meaning in why he left us so early.
"If it was nothing more than teaching us to live with that open heart, putting others first and never taking ourselves too seriously as we learn to traverse this wonky world we live in then, that might be enough."
Darius, who found fame as he came third behind Will Young and Gareth Gates in Pop Idol 2002, lived in a swish block opposite the Mayo Clinic.
He was pictured for the last time alongside Gerard wearing a baker boy style flat cap as they hung out in Malibu.
Darius splashed onto the showbiz scene with his memorable rendition of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time for his audition on the talent show Popstars in 2001.
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He later had more success the same year on Pop Idol, coming third behind Gareth Gates and Will Young.
Darius then topped UK charts in 2002 with the single Colourblind, from his debut album Dive In.
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