TROUBLED STAR Tragic Paul Danan was found dead at luxury apartment where he was trying to get clean from drugs
The ex-Hollyoaks actor had long battled drug addiction
PAUL Danan was found dead inside a luxury apartment where he was battling to stay clean from drugs.
The former Love Island and Hollyoaks star tragically died aged 46 at a property near Bristol on Wednesday.
Paul Danan passed away yesterday at the age of 46Credit: Getty
Long Fox Manor, the last address of the former Hollyoaks actorCredit: SWNS
Paul had been due to appear in court to face drug charges the day after he was found deadCredit: Getty
Tributes have since flooded in for the “exceptional talent”, who had opened up on his battles with addiction in the years prior to his death.
Paul revealed on a podcast last year that he was staying at a Grade-II listed property in Bristol which boasted a swimming pool, gym and tennis courts.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called to an address in Brislington, Bristol, at about 5.20pm on Wednesday, “where sadly a man in his 40s was declared deceased by paramedics”.
His death “is not being treated as suspicious and officers are preparing a file for the coroner”.
Neighbours have since told MailOnline the actor “kept himself to himself”.
One said: “I didn’t know he was famous, I don’t think anyone living here knew who he was until he died.
“His family has been here since and asked us not to say anything.”
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.
Paul was best known for playing Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks before starring in the original series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005.
But in the years after he first rose to fame, Paul battled a cocaine addiction and revealed how he had been to rehab 17 times.
He said he has spent more than £1million on rehab over the years.
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.
He then spent a week in intensive care, where he contracted pneumonia.
Afterwards, Paul told The Sun: “I was dead — it’s a miracle I’m here. I’m so lucky.”
In an unearthed interview in 2020, Paul also warned Love Island bosses about the “dangers” that instant reality fame could pose to the Islanders taking part.
He most recently appeared in starred in Celebrity Coach trip, but his appearance on the show 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.”
Following his stint on Hollyoaks, Paul appeared on ITV’s Celebrity Love Island as a contestant in 2005 and 2006.
He also appeared in the ITV2 reality show Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan, in which he joined Celebrity Love Island winner Fran Cosgrave and Calum Best to travel across the US.
Paul took part in Celebrity Big Brother in 2017, hoping it would give him a “second chance” at his career.
He also regularly called for his return to Hollyoaks, before starting The Morning After With Paul Danan podcast, which lasted from 2019 until 2023.
Following the tragic announcement of his death, friends and former co-stars have paid poignant tribute.
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.
Speaking on Friday’s episode of The Jeremy Vine Show on Channel 5, 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.”
Bafta-winning actor writer, director, and producer Adam Deacon said Paul was a “genuinely kind and compassionate person”.