The British music scene is in mourning following the death of Richard Darbyshire, the celebrated former frontman of the 1980s pop band Living In A Box. He was 65 years old.
His passing was confirmed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, having died the previous day, Monday, November 10. The sad news was relayed by his family to the BBC, who shared a heartfelt statement: ‘We are all very sad, but his memory and songs will live on.’
A Reluctant Star with Unmatched Talent
Darbyshire's former bandmates, Marcus Vere and Anthony ‘Tich’ Critchlow, paid an emotional tribute to him on social media. In a poignant black-and-white post, they celebrated his extraordinary abilities.
They wrote: ‘His vocal skills knew no bounds, from the driving raw power of our first, eponymous hit song, to the tender heart-melting charm of Room In Your Heart, Richard, truly, could do it all.’
The tribute also highlighted his often-overlooked skill as a guitarist and his central role as the band's primary songwriter, describing him as ‘a pure craftsman and a master of his art.’
Interestingly, the band reflected that Darbyshire was a ‘reluctant’ popstar who disliked the fame that came with success. ‘He hated the photo shoots, the interviews, the TV appearances and thought it was all a bit daft. He was happiest in the studio, guitar in hand, working on the next song.’
From Chart Success to a Lasting Legacy
Living In A Box was formed in 1985 and enjoyed a successful five-year run before splitting in 1990. The band reformed in 2016, though Darbyshire did not rejoin the line-up.
The group found major success with their 1987 self-titled debut single, ‘Living in a Box’, which soared to number five on the UK Singles Chart and broke into the US Billboard Hot 100 top 20. They scored another UK top-five hit in 1989 with the beloved ballad ‘Room in Your Heart’.
After the band's initial split, Darbyshire forged a successful solo career, releasing his album ‘How Many Angels’ in 1994. He also became a respected songwriter, penning hits for other artists.
In his later years, Darbyshire dedicated himself to nurturing new talent, opening several songwriting workshops in London. He ran these sessions alongside his wife, vocal coach Sonia Jones, sharing his expertise with a new generation of artists.
His bandmates' final words captured the profound sense of loss: ‘Richard, wherever you are, [we] will miss you dearly. The laughs we had, the wildcat ride we went on, will never be forgotten.’
