Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan died after taking cocktail of drugs, coroner rules
By Claire Hayhurst, PA
The death of Hollyoaks and reality TV star Paul Danan from a cocktail of drugs including cocaine and heroin was misadventure, a coroner has concluded.
Danan (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.
An inquest into his death was held at Avon Coroner’s Court near Bristol in England, before Assistant Coroner Debbie Rookes on Wednesday morning.
The hearing was told how Danan was found unresponsive and slumped on his sofa in front of the television at his home in Bristol on January 15th this year.
Emergency services attended the scene and confirmed that he had died. His body was identified there by his partner, Melissa Crooks.
A postmortem examination concluded that his death was due to combined toxicity of heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine and zopiclone, contributed to by benzodiazepine use.
Ms Rookes reached a conclusion that Danan had died by misadventure after hearing written statements from emergency services, doctors, and his mother Beverley Danan.
The statement from Mrs Danan 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.”
Ms Rookes concluded that Danan had died from the combined effects of prescribed and illicit drugs.
She told the hearing there was no evidence that Danan, who suffered an accidental overdose in May 2024, had intended to take his own life.
A previous hearing was told that no note was left by Danan.
The coroner 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.”
The coroner said that none of the drugs Danan had taken were found in high levels but their combined effect resulted in “fatal respiratory depression”.
During the hearing, Ms Rookes described how Ms Crooks raised the alarm when she could not get hold of Danan and a ladder was used to gain entry to his first floor flat.
He was discovered slumped on the sofa, with the television on in front of him, and emergency services were called.
“Paul’s partner, Ms Crooks, said she had not heard from Paul since the early hours of January 14,” Ms Rookes said.
“She said her and Paul had been out together and had a couple of drinks. Since leaving Paul at his home address, she had not been able to get in contact with him.”
Ms Rookes said police did not find any suspicious circumstances. Danan was pronounced deceased at 5.20pm on January 15th.
Danan had been due to appear for a plea hearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on January 16th after being charged with being in possession of cocaine and cannabis, according to court documents.
He was also accused of driving whilst under the influence of drugs on October 2nd last year, in Warrington, Cheshire.
The actor had been open about his struggles with addiction, with entering rehab and trying to recover.
Danan appeared on ITV’s Celebrity Love Island as a contestant in 2005 and 2006 but did not win either series.
He also featured 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 travelled across the US.
A post shared by Calum Best (@mrcalumbest)
Best, the son of footballer George Best, took part in Celebrity Love Island and a reality travel programme with Danan, and described him as one of the “funniest, kindest, and most authentic people I’ve known”.
In an Instagram post after Danan’s death, he said: “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.”
EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney also paid tribute, saying on Instagram story that Danan “had a heart of gold”.
In 2017, Danan took part in Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother, when he was evicted early, and said at the time he hoped the series would give him a “second chance” at his career.
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.
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.
His other appearances included on E4’s Celebrity Coach Trip and Channel 4 sketch comedy programme The Kevin Bishop Show.
Danan discussed his substance abuse and recovery on ITV’s The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019, which he said began when he was a teenager.
He said he had to “work hard at it every day to keep in recovery”.
In 2010, he pleaded guilty to drugs and public order offences, and was fined and referred to a drugs agency for support by Stevenage Magistrates’ Court.
A statement from Independent Creative Management said: “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.”