Darius Danesh died from a cardiac arrest brought on by the use of chloroethane, it has been confirmed.

The Pop Idol singer was found dead in his US apartment last month at the age of 41, with no immediate cause apparent.

Now medical tests have attributed his death to the "toxic effects of chloroethane" as well as "suffocation" which led him to suffer a cardiac arrest.

In a statement, Danesh's family revealed that the star had been using chloroethane to help him with "chronic pain" in his neck which he had been suffering from since a car crash in 2010.

It said: "The results of medical examinations have confirmed that Darius's death was an accident caused by chloroethane, which is used to treat pain and that tragically lead to respiratory arrest.

"Darius was suffering from chronic neck pain following a car accident in 2010.

"We would like to thank everyone for their love and kindness, and ask that the family's privacy is maintained during this difficult time."

Danesh's funeral took place in his hometown of Glasgow at the end of last month.