TRAGIC ACTOR
Paul Danan ‘found dead on sofa with TV still on after taking lethal cocktail of drugs’ – as coroner gives tragic ruling
Hollyoaks star had battled with his demons for years
TRAGIC Paul Danan was found dead on the sofa with the TV still on after taking a lethal cocktail of drugs, an inquest heard today.
The former Hollyoaks and Love Island star, 46, was discovered unresponsive at his apartment in Bristol on January 15.
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An inquest heard his cause of death was a "combined toxicity" of drugs, including heroin, methadone and cocaine.
Tests also found he had traces of prescription medication in his system.
Coroner Debbie Rookes today ruled Paul's death as a misadventure, saying she was certain he did not intend to end his life.
The court was told Paul's friends had raised the alarm after struggling to get hold of him for two days.
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They used a ladder to look through a window at his home before his neighbour entered to find the star slumped on the sofa with the TV on.
Paul's mum Beverley Danan paid tribute to her son in a statement read to the court.
She said: "Paul helped so many people from all walks of life but just couldn't help himself in the same way.
"His smiling face and love of life will always be remembered."
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Avon and Somerset Police previously confirmed they were called to the home in the Brislington area at around 5.20pm.
Tragically, Paul could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
Paul Danan's haunting final instagram post revealed just days before tragic death aged 46
Officers confirmed they were not treating the reality star's death as suspicious.
Giving her conclusion, Ms Rookes said: "Paul Danan was clearly much loved and is very much missed.
"Mr Danan had a long history of drug misuse and struggles with his mental health. His death was caused by a combination of drugs, both prescription and illicit.
"Paul had struggled with his mental health for many years. He had taken an overdose in May 2024 but he was adamant that this was accidental and he didn't have any intention to end his life.
"Although he had occasional suicidal thoughts, he didn't have any active plans. I don't have any evidence before me that Paul intended to take his own life at this time.
"Therefore, the conclusion is misadventure."
HEARTBREAKING BATTLE
Paul rose to fame in 1997 playing badboy Sol Patrick on Hollyoaks for four years.
He was also a contestant on Celebrity Love Island in 2005 and 2006.
Paul appeared in the 2006 ITV2 reality show Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan, which saw the actor, former Westlife bodyguard Fran Cosgrave and George Best's son Calum Best travel across the US.
In 2017, he took part in Celebrity Big Brother, which he said hoped would give him a "second chance" at his career.
Other appearances included Celebrity Coach Trip, and Channel 4 sketch comedy programme The Kevin Bishop Show.
Away from the screen, Paul battled demons including substance abuse, which he discussed on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019.
The troubled star told how he battled a cocaine addiction and revealed he had been to rehab 17 times.
Paul, dad to nine-year-old DeNiro, had been due to appear in court to face drug charges the day after he was found dead.
He was charged with possessing cocaine and cannabis, along with driving under the influence of drugs last October.
Inside Paul Danan’s tragic battle to beat vape ‘obsession’ & drug demons
PAUL Danan struggled with his health for years prior to his death aged 46.
The tragic death of the ex-Love Island and Hollyoaks star was announced on Instagram this morning.
It comes after he faced health battles including a vape addiction and relapsing during the Covid lockdowns.
Paul battled a history of cocaine addiction and previously revealed how he had been to rehab 17 times.
In June last year, he also told of how he had to be brought back to life after suffering respiratory failure triggered by his addiction to vapes.
Paul took up the habit after years of smoking, before collapsing and being given CPR as he was rushed to hospital.
He then spent a week in intensive care, where he contracted pneumonia.
During an appearance on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019, Paul told of how he had sought therapy over his health struggles as he continually relapsed.
Speaking at the time, he said: "I've had 17 stints in rehab. They do work. They're amazing.
"They've saved my life many times but it's maintenance and it's about sustaining that recovery and not putting anything before that recovery - even my little boy, who I love to death."
In August 2017, Paul told of how he died and was brought back to life after snorting heroin.
He would have lost his life had his mum not heard him gasping for breath in his bedroom and called for an ambulance.
Paul said: "My mum found me in my bed and I was making these weird noises and choking on my last breath.
“The ambulance was down the road thankfully, but by the time they arrived I was dead and they brought me back to life."
He revealed how his battles stemmed from a motorbike accident in 2010 that saw him develop an addiction to painkillers.
Paul had been in and out of rehab as early as 2006 and 2007, but said the accident caused him to spiral.
Following appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Coach Trip, Paul then opened up on how he shouldn't have been allowed to take part in reality TV shows.
After being shown a clip of himself drunkenly fighting with Calum Best during the one-off series Calum, Fran and Dangerous Danan, he said: "I should never have done any of those shows really because I wasn't well. I'm not well."
The star also opened up about his health issues to The Sun last year - revealing that he suffered respiratory failure triggered by his addiction to vapes.
He then spent a week in intensive care, where he contracted pneumonia.
Afterwards, Paul said: “I was dead — it’s a miracle I’m here. I’m so lucky.”
Tributes flooded in for the "exceptional talent" following the tragedy.
Calum Best, the son of footballer George, described him as one of the “funniest, kindest, and most authentic people I’ve known”.
In an Instagram post, he said: "Paul was truly a creative genius too having all of us laughing our a**es off at his insta profile he made to rinse a certain era of celeb culture we lived.
“Life wasn’t always easy for him, but he faced it with such heart and courage, and that inspired so many of us.
“We shared many laughs, chats, and unforgettable moments. My heart goes out to his loved ones right now. Rest easy, brother.”
TV presenter Vanessa Feltz also paid tribute to her “fantastically gifted” friend.
She said: "He was a friend of mine and he was the most delightful person.
“You know, when someone comes in and you just know that the whole evening’s going to be fabulous because he’s going to be funny and he’s going to be lively.
“He’s going to be, you know, telling you stories he shouldn’t have told you and telling you not to tell anyone and you immediately tell everyone.
“You know, he was funny and lively and lovely and warm and a fantastically gifted actor."
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While Bafta-winning actor writer, director, and producer Adam Deacon said Paul was a “genuinely kind and compassionate person”.
Paul was laid to rest in an emotional funeral on January 21 attended by Boyzone's Shane Lynch and his Hollyoaks co-stars.
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