TV star Paul Danan dead hours before court date

A UK soap and reality TV star has died aged 46, just hours before he was due in court on drugs charges.

UK soap and reality TV star Paul Danan, who appeared on Love Island and Hollyoaks, has died aged 46.

Heartfelt tributes poured in for the TV star on social media after Paul’s management announced his death this morning.

The tragic news was revealed by independent Creative PR on Instagram today.

His death came just hours before he was due to appear in court on drugs charges.

The Standard reports that Danan was due to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday facing two drug charges. He had also been charged with driving while under the influence of drugs.

The outlet also reports that police found Danan dead at his home on Wednesday evening, and that his death “is not being treated as suspicious.”

A heartfelt message read by Dana’s management read: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan 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.”

Danan at a 2017 event. Picture: Joseph Okpako/Getty

And at a 2019 London film premiere. Picture: John Phillips/Getty

Paul was best known for playing Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks before starring in the original series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005.

Fans have flooded the comments with messages of sadness after the shocking news was revealed.

Danan’s last post on his official Instagram page was a short video audition for the Shakespeare play Twelfth Night, in which he was reading for the role of Orsino.

He posted it one week ago, commenting on how “beautiful and exhilarating it is” to get stuck into new work.

The TV star previously opened up on how he “nearly died” due to his addiction to vapes.

Paul, who switched to e-cigarettes after years of smoking, said last year it was a “miracle” he is still alive after he collapsed at his parents’ home.

He had to be given CPR before he was rushed to hospital, where he spent a week in intensive care and contracted pneumonia.

While in the high dependency unit at Whipps Cross hospital, East London, doctors warned his loved ones “he might not make it through the night”.

Heading into the Big Brother house for Celebrity Big Brother in 2017. Picture: John Phillips/Getty

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, the actor said: “I was dead — it’s a miracle I’m here.”

Danan said he was told by doctors that his addiction to e-cigarettes sparked his collapse.

He explained: “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.

“After years of smoking cigarettes and all sorts, it’s the vaping which has done me in. That pushed me over the edge.”

Danan was always refreshingly open about the highs and lows of his experience on the showbiz merry-go-round.

And most recently he’d admitted to turning to fixing phones in a bid to make ends meet after TV work dried up.

It comes after news that Paul was on a charity mission to raise funds just weeks before he passed away.

Starting out as a soap star, Danan soon crossed over to reality TV. Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty

The former Hollyoaks star was using popular site GoFundMe to raise funds for a drama group that was dedicated to helping those with addiction problems and mental health issues.

Just last month, the star put out a plea to his followers to help him in his mission to raise cash for the Our Morning After Drama Group which he was a part of.

In a post on his crowd-funding page, Paul described the group as a place to come for those battling with low self-esteem and other personal issues.

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.

Paul also appeared on Channel 4 sketch comedy program The Kevin Bishop Show.

In 2022, Paul starred on Celebrity Coach Trip, which he later revealed left him needing therapy.

The show typically sees contestants voted off the coach by the other participants, and Paul admitted that he found the process “brutal”.

He said of the experience: “I had to get a bit of counselling. It taps into a lot of stuff – like rejection. It’s brutal.”

The actor set up a drama school especially for people struggling with addiction after landing a lottery grant in 2023.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as TV star Paul Danan dead hours before court date