Paul Danan, a former actor on “Hollyoaks” and reality television star, was discovered deceased at his home in Brislington, Bristol, England, on Thursday, January 16, 2024, according to a report from Avon and Somerset Police. The police found him at the property where paramedics declared him dead. He was 46 years old. The authorities have ruled out any suspicion surrounding his death and are currently preparing a file for the coroner.
Danan’s management company, Independent Creative PR, announced his death on Instagram. The announcement described him as a talented individual known for his television presence and unwavering kindness, stating his sudden departure would leave an irreplaceable void in the lives of all who knew him. The company requested respect and privacy for Danan’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
On the morning of his death, Danan was expected to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court, facing charges related to possession of multiple bags of cocaine, a quantity of cannabis, and driving under the influence of drugs.
Danan started his acting career as a teenager, featuring in shows such as “The Queen’s Nose” and “The Basil Brush Show.” His big break came when he landed the role of Solomon “Sol” Patrick in the Channel 4 soap opera “Hollyoaks,” which he played from 1997 to 2001. He later ventured into reality television, appearing on the original series of “Celebrity Love Island” in 2005, “Celebrity Big Brother,” and “Come Dine With Me.”
In June 2024, Danan suffered a severe health crisis related to his vaping habit. After switching from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes, he collapsed at his parents’ home and was given CPR before being rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital in East London. He spent a week in intensive care and contracted pneumonia. In an interview with the media, he described his survival as miraculous, stating that he had been clinically dead at one point.
Danan was informed by medical staff in the high dependency unit that his survival through the night was uncertain and was warned about the potential need for an oxygen tank for the rest of his life if he continued smoking in any form.
Throughout his career, Danan openly shared his struggles with substance addiction. Having spent approximately $1.25 million on treatment, he had checked into rehabilitation facilities 17 times. A relapse triggered by the COVID pandemic had left him homeless at one point. Despite multiple setbacks, he remained resolute in his commitment to sobriety, as stated in a 2019 interview.
Reflecting on his personal experiences, Danan founded Morning After Drama in 2020, a therapy program that uses acting to support individuals dealing with mental health, addiction, and trauma-related issues. The program specifically targets young people, recovering addicts, and ex-prisoners.
In recent weeks, Danan had been raising funds through GoFundMe for his Our Morning After Drama Group, aiming to collect $6,300. He described the group as a supportive space for those struggling with low self-esteem and other personal issues, and he had appealed to his followers last month to support the initiative.
Danan continued to make television appearances in recent years. He featured on “Celebrity Coach Trip” in 2022, which he admitted had significantly impacted him. The show, known for the contestants being voted off by their peers, led him to seek counseling to cope with feelings of rejection.
News of Danan’s death elicited a flood of tributes from fellow celebrities. “Big Brother” star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, along with Calum Best, Dean Gaffney, and Michael Greco, remembered him as a genuine, caring, and humorous individual with a heart of gold.
A week before his death, Danan posted an audition video on his official Instagram account, performing a reading for the role of Orsino in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” He described the process 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.
