Paul Danan found dead day before court appearance on drugs charges
Court documents reveal he was charged with possession of cocaine and cannabis
It's reported Hollyoaks star Paul Danan was found dead at a house in Bristol the day before he was due to appear in court on drugs charges.
Avon and Somerset Police say they were called to a property in Brislington yesterday at around 5.20pm where a man in his 40s was pronounced dead by paramedics - it's not being treated as suspicious.
The actor, 46, played bad boy Sol Patrick from 1997 to 2001 on the Channel 4 soap and was later known for his reality TV appearances, including on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island.
The death "is not being treated as suspicious"
A spokeswoman 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".
She added that the death "is not being treated as suspicious and officers are preparing a file for the coroner".
Danan had been due to appear for a plea hearing at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Thursday, after being charged with being in possession of several bags of cocaine and a "quantity" of cannabis, according to court documents.
He was also accused of driving whilst under the influence of drugs on October 2 last year, in Warrington, Cheshire.
Danan had been open about his struggles with addiction, with entering rehab and trying to recover.
He had appeared on ITV's Celebrity Love Island as a contestant in 2005 and 2006, but did not win either series.
"Life wasn't always easy for him, but he faced it with such heart and courage, and that inspired so many of us"
He also appeared in the 2006 ITV2 reality show Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan, in which he, former Westlife bodyguard and Celebrity Love Island winner Fran Cosgrave, and Calum Best, travel across the US.
Best, the son of footballer George Best, took part in Celebrity Love Island and a reality travel programme with Danan, described him as one of the "funniest, kindest, and most authentic people I've known".
In an Instagram post, he added that Danan was "truly a creative genius too having all of us laughing our asses 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.
He had to "work hard at it every day to keep in recovery"
"We shared many laughs, chats, and unforgettable moments. My heart goes out to his loved ones right now. Rest easy, brother."
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".
He had previously discussed his substance abuse and recovery on ITV's The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019, which he said began when he was a teenager.
Danan said he had to "work hard at it every day to keep in recovery".
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.
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.
"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."