Soap Star Paul Danan's Cause of Death at 46 Revealed – Details

An inquest has uncovered disturbing new details about the final hours of the "Hollyoaks" actor, who died unexpectedly at 46.

Paul Danan, the actor known for his appearances on British reality television, died by misadventure after taking a combination of drugs, a coroner has ruled.

An inquest at Avon Coroner's Court, led by assistant coroner Deborah Rookes, concluded that Danan died from "fatal respiratory depression" caused by the combined toxicity of multiple drugs, including heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine, zopiclone, and benzodiazepines.

Rookes explained that although none of the substances were individually fatal, their combined effect proved lethal.

Later in the hearing, Rookes addressed Danan's personal history and state of mind. She noted his longstanding struggles with addiction and mental health, as well as a previous accidental overdose in May 2024.

However, she made clear, "I don't have any evidence before me that Paul intended to take his own life at this time. Therefore, the conclusion is misadventure." She added that Danan was "clearly much loved and is very much missed."

Following the coroner's conclusion, the inquest also heard written statements from emergency personnel, medical professionals, and Danan's mother, Beverley Danan. Her statement read, "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."

Danan was found slumped on his sofa with the television on at his flat in Brislington, Bristol, on January 15. Emergency services used a ladder to access the first-floor property after his partner, Melissa Crooks, raised the alarm when she was unable to reach him following a night out.

The coroner's officer, Alexis Camp, confirmed that Danan's body was identified at the scene by Crooks. "Emergency services attended and confirmed he had sadly died," Camp said. Danan was pronounced dead at 17:20 GMT (12:20 p.m. ET).

A postmortem examination was conducted, and additional samples were collected for further analysis. No note was found at the scene, and Camp said there were no concerns raised by the family.

Danan rose to fame in the late 1990s as Sol Patrick in "Hollyoaks" and later became a familiar figure on reality shows such as "Celebrity Big Brother" and "Celebrity Love Island."

The day after Danan's death, his representative released a public statement on Instagram. It described him as "a beacon of light to so many" and asked for privacy on behalf of his family, friends, and colleagues. The statement read, "His untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him."

That same day, The Sun on Sunday published an interview in which Danan shared details about a recent health scare linked to his vape use. He collapsed at his parents' home after suddenly losing his breath while vaping. "I was dead — it's a miracle I'm here," he said.

He was taken to the hospital, placed in intensive care, and diagnosed with pneumonia. According to Danan, doctors warned him that if he continued smoking in any form, he risked becoming permanently reliant on oxygen. "It's the vaping which has done me in. That pushed me over the edge," he recalled.

In a separate interview with The Sun, published just days earlier on March 4, Danan had spoken at length about his history of addiction, his relapse during the COVID-19 lockdown, and his recovery. After a period of sobriety and success producing his podcast "The Morning After," he moved back in with his parents in Essex during lockdown.

The isolation took a toll on his mental health, particularly after his Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, and he eventually relapsed after finding drug paraphernalia while clearing out his flat. "I felt so terrible, guilty and ashamed when I started using again. I was like, I can't believe I am back here. It got really scary," he said.

Things worsened quickly. After a failed attempt to detox with a contact in Bournemouth, Danan found himself without a place to stay. "I just walked the streets trying to get into places but every hotel said no to me and I was in tears. I was basically homeless," he revealed.

He checked into a hotel in West London after missing an appointment at The Nightingale Hospital. There, he reconnected with a drug dealer and began using cocaine daily. For about two weeks, he didn't sleep and consumed several grams each day.

He barely ate, sometimes just one croissant from the breakfast buffet, and remained withdrawn in the room.

Friends and family tried calling, but he said he felt like he was losing his grip on reality. As days and nights blurred together, Danan said he began experiencing hallucinations.

"I started having psychosis and believing that the police were going to come in through the door," he recounted. "I was also seeing things that weren't really there. My brain was doing somersaults and it was terrifying. I was in a state."

He eventually sought treatment at Gladstones, a rehabilitation facility in the Cotswolds, where he spent three and a half months in recovery. There, he received treatment for ADHD and began rebuilding his confidence.

With support from the staff, he launched The Morning After Theatre, a drama-based therapy programme for people recovering from addiction and mental health challenges.

The initiative later became a charity offering workshops in Bristol, Oxford, and Weston-super-Mare. "We are helping hundreds of people a week," Danan said "Drama is such great therapy and I feel like I've really found my calling."

At the time of that interview, Danan said he had been clean for 20 months. "Two years later, I haven't looked back," he said. "I haven't touched any drugs or alcohol in twenty months, and I'm closer than ever to my parents and siblings."

During his time in rehab, Danan recalled a painful rift with his mother, which made the process even more emotionally challenging. He deeply wanted to repair their relationship, and although it took time, they eventually reconciled. He felt that his progress and personal growth gave his mother something to be proud of.

His recovery also brought him closer to his son. Rebuilding their relationship became a meaningful part of his journey, and spending time together regularly helped reinforce his commitment to staying clean. The struggles he endured changed his perspective, leading him to value family more than ever before.

He said he felt the "happiest" he had ever been and in the "best shape" he had been in years. He was staying active, in a relationship, and focused on helping others in recovery. He believed that going through a relapse had pushed him to rebuild his life. For him, difficult moments were often what led to real change.

Danan's outlook, he explained, was rooted in consistency, "Nobody knows what tomorrow is going to bring but if I keep doing what I did yesterday today, then I will be alright."