Paul Danan, former “Hollyoaks” actor and reality TV personality, was found dead on Thursday, January 16, 2024, at his residence in Brislington, Bristol, England, according to Avon and Somerset Police, who discovered him at a property where he was pronounced deceased by paramedics. He was 46. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and authorities are preparing a file for the coroner. 

Independent Creative PR, Danan’s management company, announced his passing on Instagram. “Known for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many,” the statement read. “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 scheduled to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on the morning of his death, facing charges of possessing several bags of cocaine and a quantity of cannabis, as well as driving while unfit through drugs.

The actor began his career as a teenager, first appearing in shows like “The Queen’s Nose” and “The Basil Brush Show” before landing his breakthrough role as Solomon “Sol” Patrick in the Channel 4 soap opera “Hollyoaks,” which he played from 1997 to 2001. He later expanded his television career, appearing in “Casualty” and becoming a fixture on reality television, participating in the original series of “Celebrity Love Island” in 2005, “Celebrity Big Brother,” and “Come Dine With Me.” 

In June 2024, Danan experienced a severe health crisis related 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. Speaking to the media, he explained 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 permanent oxygen tank assistance for the remainder of his life.

Throughout his career, Danan was candid about his struggles with substance addiction, having attended rehabilitation facilities 17 times and reportedly spending approximately $1.25 million on treatment over the years. A COVID-related relapse had left him living on the streets at one point. In a 2019 interview, he expressed his determination to maintain sobriety despite multiple relapses. 

Following his own experiences, Danan established Morning After Drama in 2020, a therapy program using acting to support individuals dealing with mental health, addiction, and trauma-related issues. The program was explicitly aimed at young people, recovering addicts, and former prisoners. 

In recent weeks, Danan had been actively fundraising through GoFundMe, attempting to raise $6,300 for his Our Morning After Drama Group, which he described as a place for those battling low self-esteem and other personal issues. Just last month, he publicly pleaded to his followers to support this initiative. 

His television appearances continued into recent years. In 2022, Danan appeared on “Celebrity Coach Trip,” later revealing the experience had affected him deeply. “I had to get a bit of counseling. It taps into a lot of stuff – like rejection. It’s brutal,” he said of the show, which typically involves contestants being voted off by other participants. 

Following the announcement, tributes poured in from fellow celebrities. “Big Brother” star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace expressed her shock and heartbreak over losing her friend, stating she would always cherish their happy memories together. Additional tributes came from Calum Best, Dean Gaffney, and Michael Greco, who collectively remembered Danan as genuine, caring, humorous, and possessed of a heart of gold.

Seven days before his death, Danan showcased his enduring passion for acting through an audition video posted to his official Instagram account. The recording 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.