Love Islander Paul Danan dead at 46: Tragic star's drug and health battles, addiction and love life
Hollyoaks and Love Island star Paul Danan has died at 46 years old. The actor's management confirmed the tragic news in a statement, reports the Mirror.
In a statement, they wrote: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of @pauldanan at just 46 years old. Known for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many.
"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. No further comments will be made at this time."
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Danan first appeared on our screens as Sol Patrick in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 1997 until 2001. The actor appeared as a contestant in the first series of Celebrity Love Island, which was aired in 2005, and returned for the second series in 2006. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.
The actor was linked to various British celebrities, including television presenter Melanie Sykes, model Katie Price and Baby Spice Emma Bunton. He claimed to have crashed his car on his way to see Melanie Sykes back in 1996 and told Hollyoaks bosses to "grow up" after he left the set during filming to secure a date with Spice Girl Emma.
He also claimed he dated Kelly Brook in a short lived fling when they were both at drama school.
The former soap actor also opened about his struggle with addiction over the years. While speaking with Liam Tuffs on The Dozen podcast, he revealed how he was introduced to cocaine at 19 years old during his first day on Hollyoaks.
On the podcast, he said: "The day I started there, someone and I am not going to say who, handed me an eighth of cocaine and I didn't really know much about coke and he was like, 'welcome.' It was the first day, the first read through, I hadn't even filmed anything."
In 2024, the actor was rushed to hospital and given CPR after he suffered respiratory failure brought on by his addiction to vapes. His diagnosis at the time was said to be so bad that his family had been warned that "he might not make it," reports the Mirror.
During his week in intensive care last year, he contracted pneumonia, and at the time, he blamed his years of smoking for his health battle. According to the Mirror, he said: "I'm upstairs puffing away on my vape then suddenly I lost my breath and collapsed.
"My family called for an ambulance and started giving me CPR, then police arrived and took over before paramedics took me to hospital. I was on a machine in ICU and ended up with pneumonia. My family were warned I might not make it through the night. I’m so lucky."
The soap star also revealed that doctors told him straight the reasons why he was in such a critical position. He said: "The doctor was so, so harsh with me. She told me, 'Paul, you don’t know how serious this was and you are going to be in here for a while now, on this oxygen'. She said if I ever smoke in any form again I risk being linked to an oxygen tank later on in life. She said that's it now."
Following his death, Danan leaves behind a nine-year-old son named Deniro. In a recent interview, the actor spoke of his desire to provide for his son, admitting that he found the cost of living "crazy" and that he did struggle because he wasn't on the TV "all the time".
He said: "You don't know when the next gig is coming, and hence the reason why the reality shows, some of the time I said yeah, because I needed to pay bills. And I probably didn't want to do a reality show did I? I should have just stuck to my acting."
