Former Hollyoaks star Paul Danan has died, aged 46.
The management company of the actor and reality TV star, who appeared in the Channel 4 soap between 1997 and 2001, confirmed the news today in a new statement.
Shared on Instagram, the statement from Independent Creative 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 departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him.”
Born in Essex in 1978, Danan first found fame playing Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks, before appearing as a contestant on the original Celebrity Love Island series in 2005 and 2006. He also appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2017.
The cause of Danan’s death has not been confirmed as of yet, though he did spend a week in intensive care last year with respiratory issues brought on due to excessive vaping.
Speaking to The Sun in June 2024, Danan said: “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,” he added.
The star was then warned to curb his addiction to e-cigarettes, to prevent more serious health issues in the future.
He said: “[The doctor] 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 is survived by his 8-year-old son Deniro.