A Definitive Ranking of David Lynch's Movies
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âBeacon of lightâ Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan died day before court date
He had appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island.
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Hollyoaks and reality TV star Paul Danan died the day before he was due to appear in court on drugs charges.
The actor, 46, played bad boy Sol Patrick from 1997 to 2001 on the Channel 4 soap and was later known for his reality TV appearances, including on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island.
A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called to an address in Brislington, Bristol, at about 5.20pm on Wednesday, âwhere sadly a man in his 40s was declared deceased by paramedicsâ.
Paul Danan enters the Celebrity Big Brother house (Ian West/PA)
PA Archive
She added that the death âis not being treated as suspicious and officers are preparing a file for the coronerâ.
Danan had been due to appear for a plea hearing at Warrington Magistratesâ Court on Thursday, after being charged with being in possession of several bags of cocaine and a âquantityâ of cannabis, according to court documents.
He was also accused of driving whilst under the influence of drugs on October 2 last year, in Warrington, Cheshire.
Danan had been open about his struggles with addiction, with entering rehab and trying to recover.
He had appeared on ITVâs Celebrity Love Island as a contestant in 2005 and 2006, but did not win either series.
He also appeared in the 2006 ITV2 reality show Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan, in which he, former Westlife bodyguard and Celebrity Love Island winner Fran Cosgrave, and Calum Best, travel across the US.
Best, the son of footballer George Best, took part in Celebrity Love Island and a reality travel programme with Danan, described him as one of the âfunniest, kindest, and most authentic people Iâve knownâ.
In an Instagram post, he added that Danan was âtruly a creative genius too having all of us laughing our asses off at his insta profile he made to rinse a certain era of celeb culture we lived.
âLife wasnât always easy for him, but he faced it with such heart and courage, and that inspired so many of us.
âWe shared many laughs, chats, and unforgettable moments. My heart goes out to his loved ones right now. Rest easy, brother.â
Bafta-winning actor writer, director, and producer Adam Deacon Danan as a âgenuinely kind and compassionate personâ in an Instagram story.
EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney also paid tribute, saying in an Instagram story Danan âhad a heart of goldâ.
In 2017, Danan took part in Channel 5âs Celebrity Big Brother, when he was evicted early, and said at the time he hoped the series would give him a âsecond chanceâ at his career.
Paul Danan played bad boy Sol Patrick from 1997 to 2001 on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks (Andy Butterton/PA)
PA Archive
He regularly called for his return to Hollyoaks, and later began the podcast The Morning After With Paul Danan, which lasted from 2019 until 2023.
A statement on X from the Hollyoaks account said: âPaul brought to life Solâs journey from teenage tearaway to leading man with such charm and heart that no matter what trouble Sol was in, you were always on his side.
âIt is a testament to Paul that his character is held with such great affection.â
In 2020 he started a drama workshop, Morning After Drama, which grew from online sessions during the pandemic to workshops in London, Oxford and the South West.
Its website says it is aimed at young people, recovering addicts and former prisoners.
His other appearances included on E4âs Celebrity Coach Trip and Channel 4 sketch comedy programme The Kevin Bishop Show.
DJ Fat Tony, real name Anthony Marnoch, wrote on Instagram that Danan was âone of the sweetest menâ, and said it âhurts so badâ.
Former EastEnders actor Michael Greco remembered him as a âgenuine and caring man who just wanted to please everyoneâ , and said he would be âmissed by manyâ, in an Instagram story.
Last year, Danan told The Sun about his addiction to vaping, saying he had collapsed in May over e-cigarette use.
He also said he was warned by a nurse that if he was to âever smoke in any form again, I risk being linked to an oxygen tank later on in lifeâ.
Danan quit smoking in 2021 and said he then became âobsessedâ with vapes, and would âalways have one in my hand, I would even go to sleep with it, like a comfort thingâ.
He had previously discussed his substance abuse and recovery on ITVâs The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019, which he said began when he was a teenager.
Danan said he had to âwork hard at it every day to keep in recoveryâ.
In 2010 he pleaded guilty to drugs and public order offences, and was fined £350 and referred to a drugs agency for support by Stevenage Magistratesâ Court.
A statement from Independent Creative Management said: âIt is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan at just 46 years old.
âKnown for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many.
âHis untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him.
âDuring this difficult time, we kindly request respect and privacy for Paulâs family, friends, and colleagues.â
