According to the Avon and Somerset Police, Paul Danan, the former “Hollyoaks” actor and reality TV personality, was discovered dead at his home in Brislington, Bristol, England, on Thursday, January 16, 2024. The 46-year-old was found at his residence and pronounced dead by paramedics. The authorities have stated that the death is not suspicious and are currently preparing a file for the coroner.
Danan’s management company, Independent Creative PR, announced his death via Instagram. The posted statement described Danan as a beacon of light and emphasized his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness. The company also requested respect and privacy for Danan’s family, friends, and colleagues during this challenging time.
On the morning of his death, Danan was slated to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court, facing charges for possession of several bags of cocaine and a quantity of cannabis, as well as driving under the influence of drugs.
Danan started his acting career as a teenager, making early appearances in “The Queen’s Nose” and “The Basil Brush Show.” He gained fame with his breakthrough role as Solomon “Sol” Patrick on the Channel 4 soap opera “Hollyoaks,” from 1997 to 2001. He later broadened his television career by appearing in “Casualty” and becoming a reality television regular, with appearances on “Celebrity Love Island,” “Celebrity Big Brother,” and “Come Dine With Me.”
In June 2024, Danan faced a serious health crisis linked to vaping. After switching from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes, he collapsed at his parents’ home and required CPR before being rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital in East London. He spent a week in intensive care, where he contracted pneumonia. He later revealed to the media that he had clinically died and described his survival as miraculous.
Medical staff in the high dependency unit informed his family members that his survival through the night was uncertain. The doctors also warned him that if he continued any form of smoking, he faced the possibility of requiring a permanent oxygen tank for the rest of his life.
Throughout his career, Danan openly discussed his battles with substance addiction. He had reportedly attended rehabilitation facilities 17 times and spent approximately $1.25 million on treatment over the years. A COVID-related relapse had left him homeless at one point. In a 2019 interview, he expressed his determination to stay sober despite numerous relapses.
Following his own experiences, Danan founded Morning After Drama in 2020, a therapy program that utilizes acting to assist individuals dealing with mental health, addiction, and trauma-related issues. The program was explicitly targeted at young people, recovering addicts, and ex-criminals.
In recent weeks, Danan had been actively fundraising via GoFundMe, seeking to accumulate $6,300 for his Our Morning After Drama Group. He described the group as a haven for those battling low self-esteem and other personal problems. Just last month, he publicly requested his followers to support this initiative.
Danan continued to make television appearances in recent years. In 2022, he featured on “Celebrity Coach Trip,” later revealing that the experience had deeply affected him. He stated that the show, which typically involves participants being voted off by other contestants, had prompted him to seek counseling.
Following the news of his death, fellow celebrities paid tribute to Danan. “Big Brother” star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace expressed her shock and sorrow over the loss of her friend, stating she would always cherish their happy memories together. Other tributes came from Calum Best, Dean Gaffney, and Michael Greco, who collectively remembered Danan as genuine, caring, humorous, and having a heart of gold.
Seven days before his death, Danan showcased his ongoing passion for acting through an audition video posted on his official Instagram account. The video captured him performing a reading for the role of Orsino in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” In his accompanying comment, Danan described the experience of engaging with new work as beautiful and exhilarating.
Danan is survived by his eight-year-old son, Deniro. His family has requested privacy during this time.
