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EXCLUSIVEPaul Danan died hours before he was due in court for drugs charges: Tragic Hollyoaks star, 46, was charged over cocaine and driving under the influence – weeks after detailing struggles with financial woes 5 comments + 18 View gallery 12:33 GMT 16 Jan 2025, updated 13:38 GMT 16 Jan 2025 By MARK DUELL Hollyoaks star Paul Danan died just hours before he was due to appear in court today facing drugs charges. Advertisement The actor shot to fame as Sol Patrick on the Channel 4 soap and was later known for his stints on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island. But Danan had been due to appear for a plea hearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court in Cheshire today after being charged with being in possession of several bags of cocaine and a ‘quantity’ of cannabis, according to court documents. symbol 00:00 00:00 Read More Danan – praised today as a ‘beacon of light’ – was also accused of driving a blue Fiat 500 whilst under the influence of drugs on October 2 last year in Warrington. It comes weeks after Danan told MailOnline in his final interview how he struggled to get acting work so worked in a phone repair shop to get by after leaving Hollyoaks. Danan moved in with his parents in Essex in 2020 after he became homeless, having previously spent around £1million on ‘rehab and recovery’ over the years. Among those paying tribute to Danan today were Calum Best, EastEnders stars Dean Gaffney and Michael Greco, DJ Fat Tony and Bafta-winning producer Adam Deacon. And 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. Paul Danan enters the Celebrity Big Brother house at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood in 2017 + 18 View gallery Paul Danan enters the Celebrity Big Brother house at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood in 2017 The actor played bad boy Sol Patrick from 1997 to 2001 on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks + 18 View gallery The actor played bad boy Sol Patrick from 1997 to 2001 on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks Paul Danan is pictured leaving Bristol Magistrates’ Court on November 4 last year + 18 View gallery Paul Danan is pictured leaving Bristol Magistrates’ Court on November 4 last year ‘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. Read More Dean Gaffney and Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace lead tributes for Paul Danan after star’s death at 46 article image ‘During this difficult time, we kindly request respect and privacy for Paul’s family, friends, and colleagues.’ Danan was a ITV’s Celebrity Love Island contestant in 2005 and 2006, though did not win either series. He also appeared in the 2006 ITV2 reality show Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan, which saw the actor, former Westlife bodyguard Fran Cosgrave and George Best’s son Calum Best travel across the US. Today, Best said in a statement: ‘Paul was one of the funniest, kindest, and most real people I’ve ever known – truly a creative genius too. Advertisement ‘Life wasn’t always easy for him, but he faced it with such heart and courage, and that inspired so many of us. Paul Danan is pictured in an audition clip he posted to Instagram last week + 18 View gallery Paul Danan is pictured in an audition clip he posted to Instagram last week After leaving Hollyoaks, Danan appeared on the ITV reality series Celebrity Love Island in 2005 + 18 View gallery After leaving Hollyoaks, Danan appeared on the ITV reality series Celebrity Love Island in 2005 Paul Danan’s TV moments over the years from Hollyoaks to Big Brother Loaded: 0%Progress: 0%0:00 Play Current Time0:00 / Duration Time2:24 Full Size Paul Danan attends the World Fashion Awards at the Savoy Hotel in London in September 2019 + 18 View gallery Paul Danan attends the World Fashion Awards at the Savoy Hotel in London in September 2019 ‘We shared so many laughs, chats, and unforgettable moments. My heart goes out to his loved ones right now. Rest easy, brother.’ Read More EXCLUSIVE Paul Danan opened up about his money struggles in moving final interview with MailOnline article image 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. In 2020, he started a drama workshop, Morning After Drama, which grew from online sessions during the pandemic to holding workshops in London, Oxford and the South West. Its website says it is aimed at young people, recovering addicts, and former prisoners. His other appearances included E4’s Celebrity Coach Trip, and Channel 4 sketch comedy programme The Kevin Bishop Show. Paul Danan auditions to star in Twelfth Night in last Instagram post Loaded: 0%Progress: 0%0:00 Play Current Time0:00 / Duration Time2:38 Full Size Paul Danan and Abi Titmuss on Celebrity Love Island in June 2005 + 18 View gallery Paul Danan and Abi Titmuss on Celebrity Love Island in June 2005 Paul Danan at a Hollyoaks party in November 2001. He played bad boy Sol Patrick in the show + 18 View gallery Paul Danan at a Hollyoaks party in November 2001. He played bad boy Sol Patrick in the show DJ Fat Tony, real name Anthony Marnoch, wrote on Instagram that Danan was ‘one of the sweetest men’, and said it ‘hurts so bad’. Read More Paul Danan dead aged 46: Ex-Hollyoaks star passes away after struggles with drug addiction article image Former EastEnders actor Michael Greco remembered Danan today as a ‘genuine and caring man’ following his death. ‘So, so sad to read about the passing of Paul Danan,’ he wrote on his Instagram Story alongside a photo of Danan. Advertisement ‘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.’ EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney also paid tribute to Danan in an Instagram story today, saying: ‘You had your demons, but my god you had a heart of gold, RIP Mr Paul Danan.’ Hollyoaks star Paul Danan was been described as a “beacon of light” after his death aged 46 + 18 View gallery Hollyoaks star Paul Danan was been described as a “beacon of light” after his death aged 46 Danan was known for his TV appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island + 18 View gallery Danan was known for his TV appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island Also today, TV presenter Hayley Palmer hailed her Danan as a ‘one-off character’ who was ‘so funny’. Read More Vaping’s EXTREME dangers as Paul Danan dies at 46 following lung emergency linked to e-cigs article image The Sky presenter, who said she hosted a radio show with Danan on Love Sport Radio, recalled that he had invited her to a Prodigy concert a few weeks ago. ‘I’m in absolute bits. Love you forever @pauldanan’, she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of them together. She added: ‘Paul was a one-off character, he was soooo funny! We were great friends and did a Radio Show on Love Sport Radio together and I would fall off my chair with laughter! ‘And he was one of the first to reach out to me when I wasn’t in a good place last year.’ Palmer said the last messages they exchanged was telling each other ‘love you’. Adam Deacon called Danan a ‘genuinely kind and compassionate person’. Isabella Hervey and Paul Danan on a date on a fishing boat on Celebrity Love Island in 2005 + 18 View gallery Isabella Hervey and Paul Danan on a date on a fishing boat on Celebrity Love Island in 2005 Paul Danan arrives for a celebrity pyjama party and charity auction at Hamleys in 2001 + 18 View gallery Paul Danan arrives for a celebrity pyjama party and charity auction at Hamleys in 2001 Bafta-winning actor, writer, director, and producer Deacon, known for his leading role in Kidulthood, wrote in an Instagram story: ‘I just heard the devastating news about Paul Danan tragically passing away. Read More Paul Danan’s tragic final post: Hollyoaks star shared personal message with fans days before death article image ‘I had the pleasure of working with him, and he was a genuinely kind and compassionate person.’ He added that his ‘thoughts’ are with his friends and family. Last year, Danan told The Sun about his addiction to vaping, saying he had collapsed in May over e-cigarette use. He also said he was warned by a nurse that if he was to ‘ever smoke in any form again, I risk being linked to an oxygen tank later on in life’. Danan quit smoking in 2021 and said he then became ‘obsessed’ with vapes, and would ‘always have one in my hand, I would even go to sleep with it, like a comfort thing’. Paul Danan and Lisa Kay attend the British Soap awards at the BBC TV studios in May 2000 + 18 View gallery Paul Danan and Lisa Kay attend the British Soap awards at the BBC TV studios in May 2000 Paul Danan reveals he almost died after snorting heroin Loaded: 0%Progress: 0%0:00 Play Current Time0:00 / Duration Time1:01 Full Size Danan was in the 2006 ITV2 show Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan, which saw the actor, ex- Westlife bodyguard Fran Cosgrave and George Best’s son Calum Best travel across the US + 18 View gallery Danan was in the 2006 ITV2 show Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan, which saw the actor, ex- Westlife bodyguard Fran Cosgrave and George Best’s son Calum Best travel across the US He had previously discussed his substance abuse and recovery on ITV’s The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019, which he says began when he was a teenager. Danan said he had to ‘work hard at it every day to keep in recovery.’ Advertisement In 2010, he pleaded guilty to drugs and public order offences, and was fined £350 and referred to a drugs agency for support by Stevenage Magistrates’ Court. Paul Danan 17 shares 5 comments Recommended by This is what your sleeping position can say about your health This is what your sleeping position can say about your health Tips and Tricks | Sponsored [Story] Woman Takes Wedding Ring To Be Cleaned After 40 Years. The Jeweler Says, “You Shouldn’t Have This” [Story] Woman Takes Wedding Ring To Be Cleaned After 40 Years. The Jeweler Says, “You Shouldn’t Have This” Cleverst | Sponsored He washes his hair once a week with cola and this is what happened Tips and Tricks | Sponsored [Story] Shelter Dog Refuses To Be Adopted. When Employees Realize Why, They Call The Vet [Story] Shelter Dog Refuses To Be Adopted. 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