Paul Danan: Cops give update after Hollyoaks & Love Island star found dead at home aged 46
COPS have released an update after Paul Danan was found dead at home aged 46.
The actor played bad boy Sol Patrick from 1997 to 2001 on Hollyoaks and was later known for his reality TV appearances, including on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island.
A statement from Avon and Somerset Police said: “Officers attended a property in Brislington, Bristol, at around 5.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 January) where sadly a man in his 40s was declared deceased by paramedics.
“His family have been notified and our thoughts are with them. They have asked for people to respect their privacy during this incredibly difficult time.
“His death is not being treated as suspicious and officers are preparing a file for the coroner.”
Bafta-winning actor, writer, director and producer Adam Deacon, and EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney are among those who have paid tribute to the tragic star.
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
A statement from Independent Creative Management earlier said: “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.”
Danan was a Celebrity Love Island contestant in 2005 and 2006.
He also appeared in the 2006 ITV2 reality show Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan, which saw the actor, former Westlife bodyguard Fran Cosgrave and George Best‘s son Calum Best travel across the US.
In 2017, Danan took part in Channel 5‘s Celebrity Big Brother, where he was evicted early, and said at the time he hoped the series would give him a “second chance” at his career.
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.
In 2020, he started a drama workshop, Morning After Drama, which grew from online sessions during the pandemic to holding workshops in London, Oxford and the South West.
Its website says it is aimed at young people, recovering addicts and former prisoners.
His other appearances included E4‘s Celebrity Coach Trip, and Channel 4 sketch comedy programme The Kevin Bishop Show.
Deacon called Danan a “genuinely kind and compassionate person”, following him having the “pleasure of working with him” in an Instagram story.
Behind the headlines, Paul was a sweet, vulnerable, big-hearted guy
BY Oliver Grady, Assistant Showbiz Editor
Paul Danan may have grabbed his share of column inches over his all too short 46 years, from his colourful love life to his well-documented struggles with addiction, but behind the headlines, there was a very sweet, vulnerable, big-hearted guy.
I’ve met and spoken with Paul many times over the years and have always had a soft spot for him. He was funny, articulate, smart and great company.
Yes, he had his demons, but he was very open about them and was always striving to be a better version of himself.
He was extremely proud of his theatre company, The Morning After, which he set up to help fellow addicts work through their trauma through drama and acting.
While he seemed lost at times, and on several occasions opened up to me about his struggle to be taken seriously in the industry after his private life exploits overshadowed his professional accomplishments, he clearly found a purpose in supporting others and helping them stay on the path of recovery.
There was only one thing Paul was prouder of than his recovery and his theatre company, and that was his son DeNiro.
Paul lit up when he spoke about his boy, and looked forward to spending the weekends with him as he co-parented with the lad’s mum.
His whatsapp photo was him beaming with DeNiro, and he loved to talk about his offspring’s accomplishments and his hopes for his future.
It breaks my heart that DeNiro now has to go through the rest of his life without his dad, and Paul will never see him grow up.
I last heard from Paul at Christmas, when he left me a voicenote saying he had some exciting things planned for 2025.
I told him we’d catch up in the New Year, but sadly we never got the chance to.
I’ll miss you Paul. You were one of life’s good ones.
Gaffney paid tribute to Danan in an Instagram story, saying he “had a heart of gold”.
Last year, Danan told The Sun about his addiction to vaping, saying he had collapsed in May over e-cigarette use.
He also said he was warned by a nurse that if he was to “ever smoke in any form again, I risk being linked to an oxygen tank later on in life”.
Danan quit smoking in 2021 and said he then became “obsessed” with vapes, and would “always have one in my hand, I would even go to sleep with it, like a comfort thing”.
He had previously discussed his substance abuse and recovery on ITV’s The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019, which he says began when he was a teenager.
Danan said he had to “work hard at it every day to keep in recovery.”