Assistant Coroner Debbie Rookes ruled the death as misadventure, indicating that Danan did not intend to take his own life
Actor and reality TV personality Paul Danan died from the combined effects of multiple drugs, a coroner has concluded.
The 46-year-old was found unresponsive on his sofa with the television still on at his home in Brislington, Bristol, on 15 January 2025. His partner, Melissa Crooks, identified his body at the scene.
A post-mortem examination determined that Danan’s death resulted from the combined toxicity of heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine, and zopiclone, with benzodiazepine use contributing to the fatal outcome. None of the substances were present at high levels individually, but their combination led to fatal respiratory depression.
Assistant Coroner Debbie Rookes ruled the death as misadventure, indicating that Danan did not intend to take his own life. She noted his long history of drug misuse and mental health struggles but found no evidence of suicidal intent. Danan had previously suffered an accidental overdose in May 2024 and was adamant at the time that he had no intention to end his life.
Danan rose to fame portraying Sol Patrick in Channel 4’s “Hollyoaks” from 1997 to 2001 and later appeared on reality shows such as “Celebrity Love Island” and “Celebrity Big Brother.” He had been open about his battles with addiction, reportedly spending over £1 million on rehabilitation efforts. At the time of his death, Danan was due to appear in court on charges related to drug possession and driving under the influence.
In a statement read during the inquest, his mother, Beverley Danan, said: “Paul helped so many people from all walks of life but just couldn’t help himself in the same way. His smiling face and love of life will always be remembered.”
Tributes from friends and colleagues have poured in, remembering Danan as a talented and kind individual who faced significant personal challenges. His death highlights the ongoing issues surrounding mental health and substance abuse.
