Paul Danan dead: Hollyoaks and Love Island legend dies at 46 after vape addiction

Hollyoaks and Love Island star Paul Danan has died at the age of 46

Paul Danan has died aged 46.

The former Hollyoaks actor was best known for playing Sol Patrick in the Channel 4 soap and appearing in the first-ever series of ITV's Celebrity Love Island in 2005.

His management has confirmed his passing, saying in a statement: "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."

Paul's cause of death is not yet known.

In June, Paul told how he effectively "died" and had to be brought back to life after suffering respiratory failure when he collapsed at his home. It was triggered by his "obsessive" vape usage.

In one of his last interviews, Paul predicted his own death as he shared the extent of his addiction.

11:34Lucy Needham

Dean Gaffney leads celebrity tributes

Dean Gaffney has led tributes to Paul Danan, who has died aged 46. The EastEnders actor is among several celebrities who took to social media to remember the former 'Hollyoaks' star, and he recalled Paul having a "heart of gold".

Dean wrote on his Instagram Story: "You had your demons but my god you had a heart of gold... RIP Mr Paul Danan."

Former 'Big Brother' star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace also paid tribute to her friend, admitting she will "cherish" all the "happy memories" the pair shared. She wrote on Instagram: "Paul Danan... a friend of mine... I'm so shocked and heartbroken.... my darling man... I will cherish all our happy memories. Beautiful amazing talented human. I'm so very sorry (sic)"

Hollyoaks star Chelsee Healey commented on Aisleyne’s post: "This is so sad."

Ex EastEnders Michael Greco praised Paul for being a "genuine and caring man" in a world of "falsities and fake people".
He wrote on X: "So, so sad to read about the passing of Paul Danan. In this day and age of falsities and fake people, he was a genuine and caring man who just wanted to please everyone. A lovely warm man that will be missed by many. R.I.P. Buddy (sic)"

Former darts ace Bobby George remembered Paul as a "very bubbly young man", after starring alongside him in 2004 film One Man and His Dog' He wrote on X: "So sad to hear of the passing of Paul Danan. We worked together on the film ‘one man and his dog’ a few years ago he was a very bubbly young man. Condolences go out to his family and friends at this very sad time. (sic)"

11:30Lucy Needham

'Dangerous Danan' and criminal past

Paul Danan earned the nickname 'Dangerous' given his wild, party boy reputation.

But the troubled star also had a criminal past. He was once fined £250 for telling police officers to "f*** off" after being caught with cocaine and cannabis.

The actor was also hit with an £800 fine by a magistrates court for ranting at a train worker, while he was also accused of hurling abuse at Miss Student UK contestants. One of his more petty crimes saw him fined £80 for stealing £3 of snacks from Morrisons.

He was also once sacked from pantomime after drinking wine before a performance. Recalling the ordeal in the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2017, Paul said: "I had a couple of glasses of wine and went on stage.

"The presenter said, 'Paul, can you take that half of the crowd and we'll take this half of the crowd "It was a slip of the tongue.

"I got a bit excited and said, 'Make some motherf***ing noise'." get them to make as much noise as possible?'"

11:16Lucy Needham

Paul Danan handed 'bag of cocaine' on first day of Hollyoaks

The actor, best known for playing Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks in the 90s, was very open about his decades-runnign drug addiction.

Speaking on The Dozen with Liam Tuffs podcast in May 2024, he claimed he was handed cocaine on his first day working o the Channel 4 soap.

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.’

11:04Lucy Needham

Tributes begin as Paul's pals speak out

DJ Fat Tony called Paul Danan “one of the sweetest men” and said his death at 46 “hurts so bad”. On Instagram, the DJ said: “This hurts so bad god bless you Paul one of the sweetest men I’ve ever met what a sad day x.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE4jVuysXOO/?hl=en
11:00Lucy Needham

Paul Danan's heartbreaking last Instagram post

Paul Danan's tragic last Instagram post saw him tell his followers he forgot sometimes how much he needed to be "awoken".

The former Hollyoaks star died age 46, it was confirmed today (Thursday). HIs cause of death is not yet known.

Just a week earlier he had taken to the social media platform to act out a Shakespeare scene. Along with a video of his impressive scene work, he wrote: "Audition for A Twelfth Night to play Orsino.

"It's been a long time since I've gone near a bit of the Master that is Our pioneer Sir William Shakespeare. You forget what a Genius he really was and remember how beautiful and exhilarating it is when you get stuck in to tackling his work. It's an amazing experience! I forget sometimes how much i need to be awoken... #twelfthnight #stafford #shakespeare"

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEkBVljodmx/?hl=en
10:56Lucy Needham

Why was Paul Danan famous?

Paul was a Celebrity Love Island contestant in both 2005 and 2006, but failed to win either series.

In 2017, Danan took part in Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother, where 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.

His other appearances included E4’s Celebrity Coach Trip, and Channel 4 sketch comedy programme The Kevin Bishop Show.

10:48Lucy Needham

Boasted of womanising past in final interview

In one of his final ever interviews, Paul spoke about his many flings and estimated he has slept with over one thousand women.

Asked how many women he has slept with, he replied: 'I don't know. I think we're definitely in the higher range. More than a thousand, yeah.'

'I really miss it. It don't happen like it used to. You have to be careful if you're looking at someone who is 25, is that wrong, is that right? Are you alright to fancy someone who's 25, 30? They're not on your level at 45. I am looking more at the 30 range, I need to be attracted.'

10:47Lucy Needham

Paul's vape addiction and said he should be 'dead' months before death

In June, Paul told how he effectively "died" and had to be brought back to life after suffering respiratory failure when he collapsed at his home.

It was triggered by his "obsessive" vape usage.

Shortly afterwards, he told The Sun on Sunday newspaper "I was dead - it’s a miracle I’m here. 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 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."

10:46Lucy Needham

Manager issues statement announcing death

Paul's management confirmed his passing, saying in a statement: "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."