Paul Danan dead: Love Island & Hollyoaks icon dies aged 46 – just six months after ‘nearly dying from vape addiction’
LOVE Island and Hollyoaks icon Paul Danan has passed away aged 46.
Heartfelt tributes poured in for the TV star on social media after Paul’s management announced his death this morning.
The tragic news was revealed by Independent Creative PR on Instagram today.
A heartfelt message read: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan at just 46 years old.
“Known for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many.
“His untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him.
“During this difficult time, we kindly request respect and privacy for Paul’s family, friends, and colleagues.
“No further comments will be made at this time.”
Paul Danan has died aged just 46 – here’s a look back at his life…
- Paul revealed he nearly died from vape addiction just six months ago
- The former Love Islander took on a surprising new career 22 years after leaving Hollyoaks
- The showbiz world reacts to the news Paul Danan has died aged 46 as tributes pour in
- Paul’s health struggles are revealed including vape addiction and heroin overdose
- His haunting final Instagram post revealed he was auditioning for new roles
- Inside Paul’s charity mission to raise £5k for those struggling with addiction & mental health issues
Paul was best known for playing Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks before starring in the original series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005.
Fans have flooded the comments with messages of sadness after the shocking news was revealed.
Celebrity friends of Paul’s have also taken to social media to share tributes.
Big Brother star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace wrote: “Paul Danan… a friend of mine… I’m so shocked and heartbroken…. my darling man… I will cherish all our happy memories.
“RIP u beautiful amazing talented human.”
Danan’s last post on his official Instagram page was a short video audition for the Shakespeare play Twelfth Night, in which he was reading for the role of Orsino.
He posted it one week ago, commenting on how “beautiful and exhilarating it is” to get stuck into new work.
The TV star previously opened up on how he nearly “died” over his addiction to vapes.
Paul, who switched to e-cigarettes after years of smoking, said last year it was a “miracle” he is still alive after he collapsed at his parents’ home.
The Love Island star had to be given CPR before he was rushed to hospital.
He then spent a week in intensive care, where he contracted pneumonia.
While in the high dependency unit at Whipps Cross hospital, East London, doctors warned his loved ones “he might not make it through the night”.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, the former Hollyoaks actor said: “I was dead — it’s a miracle I’m here.”
Paul, who was in the original series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005, says he was told by doctors that his addiction to e-cigarettes sparked his collapse.
He explained: “The doctor was so, so harsh with me. She told me, ‘Paul, you don’t know how serious this was and you are going to be in here for a while now, on this oxygen’.
“She said if I ever smoke in any form again I risk being linked to an oxygen tank later on in life. She said that’s it now.
“After years of smoking cigarettes and all sorts, it’s the vaping which has done me in. That pushed me over the edge.”
ACTOR GONE
Paul was always refreshingly open about the highs and lows of his experience on the showbiz merry-go-round.
And most recently admitted he to turning to fixing phones in a bid to make ends meet after TV work dried up.
It comes after news that Paul was on a charity mission to raise £5,000 just weeks before he passed away.
The former Hollyoaks star was using popular site GoFundMe to raise funds for a drama group that was dedicated to helping those with addiction problems and mental health issues.
Just last month, the star put out a plea to his followers to help him in his mission to raise cash for the Our Morning After Drama Group which he was a part of.
In a post on his crowdfunding page, Paul described the group as a place to come for those battling with low self-esteem and other personal issues.
He regularly called for his return to Hollyoaks, and later began the podcast The Morning After With Paul Danan, which lasted from 2019 until 2023.
Paul also appeared on Channel 4 sketch comedy programme The Kevin Bishop Show.
In 2022, Paul starred on Celebrity Coach trip, which he later revealed left him needing therapy.
The show typically sees contestants voted off the coach by the other participants, and Paul admitted that he found the process “brutal”.
He said of the experience: “I had to get a bit of counselling. It taps into a lot of stuff – like rejection. It’s brutal.”
The actor set up a drama school especially for people struggling with addiction after landing a lottery grant in 2023.