Paul Danan's rollercoaster love-life including Angelina Jolie kiss and Kelly Brook dates
Paul Danan rose to fame with his role as Sol Patrick in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks between 1997 and 2001, before he decided to find love on the first ever series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005. Both on and off the screen, the actor, who has died at the age of 46, was open about his love life and romantic interests.
In the past, he disclosed that he shared a kiss with Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie and dated English model and actress Kelly Brook for a few months while they were in drama school together. On Thursday, January 16, Paul's management team confirmed that the actor and reality TV star had died.
The tragic news was confirmed by a statement, which read: "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.
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"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."
The actor was linked to several celebrities during the height of his fame. Paul met Kelly Brook, who recently starred in BBC's Celebrity Race Across the World, when the two were studying at the prestigious Italia Conti drama school. It has been reported that the two dated for around six months. Despite their break up, Paul described the model and actress as "amazing" and that he felt "lucky" to have shared a spark with her.
During his time on ITV's Celebrity Love Island, the actor met the American Playboy model Nikki Ziering. While talking on the Reality Check podcast, presented by Jamie East, Paul let slip about the couple's romantic tryst while on the series. He said: "We went in the toilets, and then we were out... but a minute of it was spent taking off our microphones!"
The star also confirmed that he previously went on a date with model Katie Price, only to find she had turned up with another man. Although the relationship didn't develop following the unusual date, the two remained firm friends.
The actor was also linked to television presenter Melanie Sykes and claimed to have crashed his car on his way to see Sykes back in 1996. The actor also explained that he was so eager to go on a date with Baby Spice - Emma Bunton, that he left the set of Hollyoaks early to secure a date with her. When his bosses were unhappy about his early clock-off, he allegedly told them to "grow up".
The actor also revealed that he tried to charm the likes of Hollywood stars as well. Paul claimed he shared a kiss with Hollywood royalty, Angelina Jolie, in 2000, even though she was with fellow actor Billy Bob Thornton at the time.
In his The Morning After podcast, he recalled that the two shared a brief smooch at an after-party for her film, Gone in 60 Seconds. He said: "After our little chat, we were like, 'Ok, well done, see you a bit later.' I go to give her a hug because it felt like that kind of conversation, and as I go to give her a kiss on the cheek - bam! She turned my head and smacked me right on those lips. Boom! It was a proper two-second-er. On the lips, those Angelina Jolie lips."
The actor also claimed he proposed to A-list actress Cameron Diaz within seconds of meeting her at Coachella music festival in Los Angeles back in 2003. Speaking to The Sun about the meeting, he said: "I went up to her and said, 'Hi, my name's Paul and I've always thought you were amazing' and I just got down on one knee and said, 'Will you marry me?'. She thought I was joking, but I kind of wasn't and she was like, 'Paul, that's so sweet but I'm with Jared'."
