Bristol, United Kingdom – Actor and reality television personality Paul Danan passed away at his home in Bristol after consuming a combination of drugs, including cocaine and heroin, an inquest has heard.
Danan, best known for portraying Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks, as well as for his appearances on Celebrity Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother, died in January at the age of 46.
At the opening of the inquest at Avon Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, senior coroner Maria Voisin set a provisional date of 28 May for the full hearing.
Coroner’s officer Alexis Camp informed the court that Danan was pronounced dead at his residence in Brislington, Bristol, at 5:20 pm on 15 January. His body was identified at the scene by his partner, Melissa Crooks.
Ms Camp stated, “The circumstances are that Mr Danan was found unresponsive at his home address. Emergency services attended and confirmed he had sadly passed away. A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and samples have been taken for further analysis.”
The provisional cause of death was listed as combined toxicity from heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine, zopiclone, and benzodiazepines.
Ms Camp added, “I understand there are no concerns from the family,” further noting that no note was left by Danan.
The inquest will include statements from Danan’s general practitioner, family, police, ambulance service, and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, as investigations continue.
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Past Struggles with Addiction
Danan had a well-documented history of struggles with substance abuse. He had previously spoken about his addiction to cocaine and codeine, which he used as a coping mechanism after losing acting roles in his 20s while working in the United States.
According to court documents, he had been due to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 16 January for a plea hearing after being charged with possession of cocaine and cannabis. Additionally, he had faced accusations of driving under the influence of drugs on 2 October last year in Warrington, Cheshire.
Danan had often reflected on his long battle with addiction, revealing that he had spent over £1 million on rehabilitation over the years.
Dedication to Helping Others
In 2020, Danan established drama classes in Bristol for adults dealing with mental health challenges, addiction, past trauma, or experiences in the criminal justice system.
Following his passing, his management company paid tribute to him, describing him as “a beacon of light to so many” and praising his “exceptional talent and unwavering kindness.”
Supplementary Information
Paul Danan gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly for his role in Hollyoaks, before becoming a familiar face in British reality television. Despite personal struggles, he remained an advocate for mental health awareness and addiction recovery, using his own experiences to help others in similar situations.