6 days ago
Soap actor died after taking drugs day before Warrington court case, inquest hears
THE death of Hollyoaks and reality TV star Paul Danan from a cocktail of drugs including cocaine and heroin was misadventure, a coroner has concluded.
The 46-year-old had been due to appear before Warrington Magistrates' Court the day after his death to face a drug-driving allegation in the town.
He played bad boy Sol Patrick from 1997 to 2001 in the Channel 4 soap and was later known for his reality TV appearances, including on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island.
An inquest into his death was held at Avon Coroner's Court in Flax Bourton, near Bristol, before assistant coroner Debbie Rookes this morning, Wednesday.
The hearing was told how Danan was found unresponsive and slumped on his sofa in front of the television at his home in Brislington, Bristol, on January 15 this year.
Emergency services attended the scene and confirmed that he had died. His body was identified there by his partner, Melissa Crooks.
A post-mortem examination concluded that his death was due to combined toxicity of heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine, and zopiclone, contributed to by benzodiazepine use.
Coroner Rookes reached a conclusion that Danan had died by misadventure after hearing written statements from emergency services, doctors, and his mother, Beverley Danan.
The statement from Mrs Danan said: 'Paul helped so many people from all walks of life, but he just could not help himself in the same way.
'His smiling face and love of life will always be remembered.'
Ms Rookes concluded that Danan had died from the combined effects of prescribed and illicit drugs.
She told the hearing there was no evidence that Danan, who suffered an accidental overdose in May 2024, had intended to take his own life. No note was left.
The coroner said: 'Paul Danan was clearly much loved and is very much missed.
An inquest has been concluded into the death of Hollyoak actor Paul Danan. Picture: PA
'Mr Danan had a long history of drug misuse and struggles with his mental health. His death was caused by a combination of drugs, both prescription and illicit.
'Paul had struggled with his mental health for many years. He had taken an overdose in May 2024, but he was adamant that this was accidental, and he did not have any intention to end his life.
'Although he had occasional suicidal thoughts, he did not have any active plans. I do not have any evidence before me that Paul intended to take his own life at this time.
'Therefore, the conclusion is misadventure.'
The coroner said that none of the drugs Danan had taken were found in high levels, but their combined effect resulted in 'fatal respiratory depression'.
During the hearing, Coroner Rookes described how his partner raised the alarm when she could not get hold of Danan, and a ladder was used to gain entry to his first-floor flat.
He was discovered slumped on the sofa, with the television on in front of him, and emergency services were called.
Danan had been due to appear for a plea hearing at Warrington Magistrates' Court on January 16 after being charged with being in possession of cocaine and cannabis, according to court documents.
He was also accused of driving while under the influence of drugs on October 2 last year, in Warrington.
The actor had been open about his struggles with addiction, with entering rehab and trying to recover.
Danan appeared on ITV's Celebrity Love Island as a contestant in 2005 and 2006, but he did not win either series.
In 2017, he took part in Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother, when he was evicted early, and said at the time he hoped the series would give him a 'second chance' at his career.
