logo
Hollyoaks and reality TV star Paul Danan: Inquest into death resumes

Hollyoaks and reality TV star Paul Danan: Inquest into death resumes

BBC News28-05-2025
An inquest is resuming into the death of Hollyoaks and reality TV star Paul Danan.The 46-year-old was pronounced dead at 17:20 GMT on 15 January after being found unresponsive at his home in Brislington, Bristol. A hearing in March heard he died after consuming a cocktail of drugs, including cocaine and heroin.Danan, who played Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks and was known for his appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island, had battled with addiction since his early 20s, and admitted spending more than £1m on rehab and recovery over the years.
Following an adjournment earlier this year, the inquest will resume at Avon Coroner's Court in Flax Bourton before assistant coroner Deborah Rookes.
The court was previously told that the provisional cause of Danan's death was combined toxicity of heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine, zopiclone, contributed to by benzodiazepine use.His body was identified at the scene by his partner, Melissa Crooks.Danan had been due to appear for a plea hearing at Warrington Magistrates' Court the following day, after being charged with possession of cocaine and cannabis.He was also accused of driving whilst under the influence of drugs on 2 October last year in Warrington, Cheshire.
Danan had openly discussed his substance abuse issues on ITV's The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019, which he said began when he was a teenager.He stated he had to "work hard at it every day to keep in recovery".Calum Best, who took part in Celebrity Love Island and a reality travel programme alongside Danan, described him as one of the "funniest, kindest, and most authentic people". In an Instagram post after Danan's death, he said: "Life wasn't always easy for him, but he faced it with such heart and courage, and that inspired so many of us."
'Beacon of light'
In 2020, Danan launched drama classes in Bristol for ex-convicts and adults struggling with mental health issues, addiction or trauma.Following his death, his agents at Independent Creative Management said: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan."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."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why teachers' reactions Adolescence reveal ‘problem with schooling'
Why teachers' reactions Adolescence reveal ‘problem with schooling'

The Independent

time16 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Why teachers' reactions Adolescence reveal ‘problem with schooling'

The writer and co-creator of hit Netflix series Adolescence has revealed his concerns to teachers ' reactions to the show. Jack Thorne said teachers' responses to the show showed 'we've got a real problem in our country' when it comes to schooling. The four-part series explores misogyny among teenage boys and prompted a national conversation about online safety when it was released in March. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Thorne said: 'I worked in a school, (executive producer) Hannah (Walters) spent a long time in schools, and we both had a real passion to talk about schools that aren't doing so well. 'And it was so interesting the response, because there was teachers going, 'That would never happen in schools', and then other teachers going, 'You've got that spot on'. 'And what that showed is, we've got a real problem in our country, because there's a certain level of schooling which is complacent about the schools that we're allowing to sink.' One of the episodes in the series is filmed in a school and shows Ashley Walters ' character, DI Luke Bascombe, interviewing children who are friendly with 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who has been accused of murdering his school friend. Also in the session, Netflix executive Mona Qureshi, responded to Channel 4 news boss Louisa Compton accusing the streamer of behaving like 'TV tourists' earlier at the TV festival. Compton also called the channel 'proud parents' of Adolescence because of the opportunities they had given Thorne and actor and co-creator Stephen Graham over the years, according to reports. 'I don't think I'm a tourist,' Qureshi said. 'Nothing about where I am and where we sit and the conversations we had about and around Adolescence at the beginning really came out of anything other than us.' Thorne said he 'started out' with Channel 4, adding: 'I'm really grateful for Channel 4, but I'm excited that Netflix is moving into this space.' In March, Thorne, 46, spoke to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street about the issues raised in the drama. This Is England star Graham co-created the drama with Thorne and starred as Eddie Miller, the father of Jamie. The series took months of preparation and rehearsals so that each episode could be filmed in one continuous shot, which was praised by viewers of the show. The show has received 13 Emmy nominations, including for its young star Cooper, for best supporting actor in a limited series.

Hunger-driven A&E admissions spiral amid cost-of-living crisis
Hunger-driven A&E admissions spiral amid cost-of-living crisis

The Independent

time16 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Hunger-driven A&E admissions spiral amid cost-of-living crisis

Hungry patients are overwhelming NHS emergency departments at unprecedented levels, researchers claim. Admissions to hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) units because of hunger have more than tripled, rising by nearly 219 per cent in five years, figures suggest. Analysis of NHS data shows a lack of food was the fastest growing cause of A&E admissions in England between 2018-19 and 2023-24, as food prices and poverty spiralled. As the cost-of-living crisis gripped the UK, experts repeatedly warned that households were being plunged into poverty, with food bank use soaring and charities finding parents going hungry so their children could eat. Health experts warned in 2022 that millions of people were facing a 'significant humanitarian crisis', exacerbated by rocketing fuel bills. In 2018-19, 70 patients needed emergency care for hunger, the statistics show, but the figure shot up to 230 after five years – a 218.5 per cent increase. Paula Lingard, of the ID Band Company, which analysed the NHS data, said: 'The significant rise in admissions related to lack of food is particularly concerning and may reflect growing food insecurity in England, highlighting the importance of addressing basic needs as part of our approach to public health.' Recently, the Resolution Foundation think tank said the outlook for living standards for UK households remains bleak for the rest of the 2020s, which it said could become 'the first decade of the modern era to witness no improvement in disposable incomes across Britain'. Household debts have continued to rise since last year. The biggest actual increase in A&E admission numbers over the five years was down to adverse reactions to standard medical procedures. Cases rose from 40,881 to 103,295 over the five years – a 144.9 per cent increase. Environmental pollution-related illnesses caused the second-biggest proportionate rise in admissions, increasing by 191 per cent in five years. Patient numbers tripled from 16 to 48. Surgical errors drove the third-highest percentage jump, with emergency figures rising 179.9 per cent. NHS records show 4,094 patients needed urgent treatment after medical mishaps in 2023-24, against 1,418 in 2018-19. Cardiovascular equipment problems more than doubled, from 325 to 775. But cases of self-harm fell, with deliberate drug overdoses dropping by nearly half between 2018 and 2024, from 12,298 to 6,499. Shotgun and rifle assault injuries dropped from 56 in 2018-19 to just 17. The Independent has approached the Department for Health and Social Care for comment.

Officers were ‘covered in blood' after Pc shot with a crossbow
Officers were ‘covered in blood' after Pc shot with a crossbow

The Independent

time16 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Officers were ‘covered in blood' after Pc shot with a crossbow

A police officer who was shot by a man with a crossbow said he lost so much blood that his colleagues were 'covered' in it. On Wednesday, a sentencing hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court heard police had been called after Jason King stabbed neighbour Alistair Mahwuto with a 'small knife' during an altercation, arising out of a 'long-standing' dispute. Police attended the scene in School Close in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, where King shot repeatedly at them using a crossbow before chasing them with the weapon and shooting officer Pc Curtis Foster, the court was told. The 55-year-old was later shot once by police in the stomach after refusing to put down the weapon when confronted by officers on May 10 last year, the court heard. Footage released by Thames Valley Police shows King, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, running across a road, pursuing the officers while pointing a crossbow. Pc Foster said of the incident: 'My recollection of the early moments when I arrived on scene was the street was empty, it was eerily quiet, no sign of the suspect and we then saw the victim who showed us a stab wound in the abdomen. 'I ascertained King had a crossbow when he removed the upstairs window to his property. He literally took the whole window out of its frame and then he was pointing something out of the window and I could see a red glint and then I realised it was a crossbow and that's when he took two shots at me out the window.' The officer added that he knew something had 'impacted' him but his adrenaline levels were 'so high' that he could not feel much pain. As a result, Pc Foster carried on running and helped clear members of the public away from the scene, despite his injury. Bodyworn camera footage shows the officer saying he thinks he has been shot and telling people to 'get back' into their houses as there is a man armed with a crossbow. Pc Foster said: 'I kind of first realised I was bleeding quite a lot when I could feel it running down my leg, and then I touched my leg above my trousers and my whole palm of my hand was red where it had gone through my trousers already so I thought yeah, I'm losing quite a lot of blood already.' He continued: 'There was a lot of blood. 'My two colleagues that turn up initially on scene were covered in my blood, that's how much blood I'd lost and when we got to the hospital the doctor had a feel of it and said I was really lucky it didn't strike an artery, it was a couple of centimetres away from hitting an artery in my leg.' Another clip shows King being confronted by an armed officer who shouts at him to 'stay still' before the officer fires one shot. The officer then runs over to King while other voices can be heard calling for paramedics. The armed officer, who cannot be named, said shooting King was 'the worst thing I've ever had to do' but that it 'neutralised a threat and kept everyone safe'. Further footage shows a police dog handler shouting to colleagues that King had attempted to shoot police dog Merlyn. Pc Foster has since made a full recovery from his injuries, police have said, while King was taken to hospital and discharged 10 days later. Judge Jonathan Cooper jailed King for nine years with a further three years on extended licence. He previously pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, having an article with a blade or point, having an offensive weapon, wounding with intent and affray.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store