Actor Paul Danan died from a lethal combination of prescription and illicit drugs while alone at his home in Bristol, England, according to a coroner’s inquest that concluded on May 28, 2025. The 46-year-old star, known for his role as Sol Patrick on the British soap opera “Hollyoaks” and appearances on reality shows including “Celebrity Big Brother” and “Celebrity Love Island,” was found unresponsive on his sofa with the television still on.
Assistant Coroner Deborah Rookes ruled Danan’s death on January 15 as misadventure during proceedings at Avon Coroner’s Court in Flax Bourton. A postmortem examination revealed the actor died from combined toxicity of heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine and zopiclone, with benzodiazepine use as a contributing factor. Emergency services pronounced him dead at 5:20 p.m. GMT after he was discovered at his first-floor flat in Brislington, Bristol.
Danan’s partner, Melissa Crooks, raised the alarm when she could not contact him after they had gone out drinking together on the evening of January 14. Friends used a ladder to gain entry to his apartment through a window, where they found him slumped on the sofa. Crooks identified his body at the scene when emergency responders arrived.
The coroner emphasized that none of the drugs were found in high levels individually, but their combined effect resulted in fatal respiratory depression. Rookes determined there was no evidence that Danan intended to take his own life, noting his history of accidental drug use. The actor had suffered a previous accidental overdose in May 2024 and was adamant at that time that he had no intention of ending his life.
Rookes told the hearing that “Paul Danan was clearly much loved and is very much missed.” She indicated that Danan had maintained a long history of drug misuse and mental health struggles, but emphasized that although he experienced occasional suicidal thoughts, he had no active plans to harm himself at the time of his death.
Danan’s mother, Beverley Danan, provided a written statement to the court describing how her son helped many people from all walks of life but struggled to help himself in the same way. She noted that his smiling face and love of life would always be remembered. The family had been warned during his May 2024 hospitalization that he might not survive the night after developing pneumonia while in intensive care.
The actor had been scheduled to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on January 16 for a plea hearing related to drug possession charges. He faced accusations of possessing cocaine and cannabis, as well as driving under the influence of drugs on October 2, 2024, in Warrington, Cheshire.
Born to a Moroccan Jewish family in Essex, Danan attended an Orthodox Jewish grammar school before pursuing drama studies. He rose to fame playing Sol Patrick on “Hollyoaks” from 1997 to 2001, then transitioned to reality television with appearances on both seasons of “Celebrity Love Island” in 2005 and 2006, followed by “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2017.
Throughout his career, Danan had been open about his substance abuse struggles, which began during his teenage years. He discussed his recovery efforts on ITV’s “The Jeremy Kyle Show” in 2019, acknowledging that he had to work hard every day to maintain his recovery. He reportedly spent more than £1 million on rehabilitation and recovery treatments over the years.
In 2020, Danan launched Morning After Drama in Bristol, offering drama classes for ex-convicts and adults struggling with mental health issues, addiction or trauma. The advocacy group used acting and improvisation to help people work through their challenges, reflecting his commitment to helping others despite his personal struggles.
Calum Best, son of footballer George Best and Danan’s co-star on various reality programs, described him as one of the funniest, kindest and most authentic people he had known. Best indicated that while life was not always easy for Danan, he faced challenges with heart and courage that inspired many others. The two had shared numerous laughs, conversations and unforgettable moments during their television collaborations.
Danan’s management company, Independent Creative Management, released a statement following his death describing him as a beacon of light to many people. The agency noted his television presence, exceptional talent and unwavering kindness, stating that his untimely departure would leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him. He is survived by his nine-year-old son, DeNiro.
