Actor Paul Danan died from a fatal combination of prescription and illicit drugs while sitting alone on his sofa watching television at his Bristol home, a coroner’s inquest has revealed. The 46-year-old Hollyoaks star was found unresponsive on January 15 at 5:20 p.m. local time at his flat in Brislington, Bristol.
A postmortem examination determined that Danan’s death resulted from combined toxicity of heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine and zopiclone, with benzodiazepine use contributing to the fatal outcome. Assistant Coroner Deborah Rookes ruled the death as misadventure during proceedings at Avon Coroner’s Court in Flax Bourton on May 28.
Rookes emphasized that none of the drugs were found in high levels individually, but their combined effect resulted in fatal respiratory depression. The coroner found no evidence suggesting Danan intended to take his own life, noting his previous accidental overdose in May 2024 had been unintentional.
Danan’s partner, Melissa Crooks, raised the alarm after being unable to contact him following a night out drinking together on January 14. A neighbor used a ladder to gain entry to his first-floor apartment, where Danan was discovered slumped on the sofa with the television still running. Emergency services confirmed his death at the scene, and Crooks identified his body.
The actor, born to a Moroccan Jewish family in Essex, England, rose to fame portraying Sol Patrick on the Channel 4 soap opera “Hollyoaks” from 1997 to 2001. He later became known for reality television appearances on “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2017 and “Celebrity Love Island” in 2005 and 2006. Danan also appeared on various other programs including E4’s “Celebrity Coach Trip” and participated in the 2006 ITV2 reality show “Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan.”
Danan had been open about his struggles with addiction since his early twenties, reportedly spending more than £1 million on rehabilitation and recovery efforts over the years. He discussed his substance abuse issues publicly on ITV’s “The Jeremy Kyle Show” in 2019, explaining that recovery required daily effort and commitment.
In 2020, Danan launched drama classes in Bristol specifically designed for ex-convicts and adults struggling with mental health issues, addiction or trauma. The program reflected his commitment to helping others facing similar challenges to those he had experienced throughout his life.
Danan’s mother, Beverley Danan, provided a written statement to the court expressing her grief while celebrating her son’s character. “Paul helped so many people from all walks of life but just couldn’t help himself in the same way,” she indicated, adding that his smiling face and love of life would always be remembered.
The actor had been scheduled to appear for a plea hearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on January 16, the day after his death, facing charges for possession of cocaine and cannabis. He was also accused of driving under the influence of drugs on October 2, 2024, in Warrington, Cheshire.
Calum Best, son of footballer George Best and Danan’s co-star on reality programs, described him as one of the funniest, kindest and most authentic people he had known. Best noted that while life was not always easy for Danan, he faced challenges with heart and courage that inspired many others.
Danan’s management company, Independent Creative Management, released a statement following his death describing him as a beacon of light known for his television presence, exceptional talent and unwavering kindness. The company indicated his departure would leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him.
Six months before his death, Danan had been hospitalized for respiratory failure that he attributed to excessive vaping. He told media outlets at the time that he had collapsed at home and required intensive care treatment, with family members warned he might not survive the night. Following that incident, he expressed determination to pursue a healthier lifestyle and advance his career.
Danan is survived by his nine-year-old son, DeNiro. The coroner concluded that despite his long history of drug misuse and mental health struggles, there was no evidence of suicidal intent at the time of his death.
