Paul Danan died hours before he was due in court on drug charges: The tragic Hollyoaks star, 46, was charged with cocaine and drink driving – weeks after describing struggles with financial problems

Hollyoaks star Paul Danan died just hours before he was due to appear in court today on drug charges.

The actor rose to fame as Sol Patrick on the Channel 4 soap and later became known for his stints on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island.

But Danan was due to appear at a plea hearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court in Cheshire today after being charged with possessing several bags of cocaine and a ‘quantity’ of cannabis, according to court documents.

Danan – today hailed as a ‘light guy’ – was also accused of driving a blue Fiat 500 while under the influence of drugs on October 2 last year in Warrington.

It comes weeks after Danan told MailOnline in his last interview how he struggled to get acting work so he worked in a phone repair shop to get by after leaving Hollyoaks.

Danan moved in with his parents in Essex in 2020 after he became homeless, having spent around £1m on ‘rehab and recovery’ over the years.

Among those paying tribute to Danan today were Calum Best, EastEnders stars Dean Gaffney and Michael Greco, DJ Fat Tony and Bafta-winning producer Adam Deacon.

And a statement from Independent Creative Management said: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan aged just 46.

“Known for his television presence, exceptional talent and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many. His untimely passing will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him.

‘During this difficult time, we ask for respect and privacy for Paul’s family, friends and colleagues.’

Danan was an ITV’s Celebrity Love Island contestant in 2005 and 2006 but did not win either series.

He also appeared in the 2006 ITV2 reality show Calum, Fran And Dangerous Danan, which saw the actor, former Westlife bodyguard Fran Cosgrave and George Best’s son Calum Best travel across the US.

Today Best said in a statement: ‘Paul was one of the funniest, kindest and most genuine people I have ever known – truly a creative genius too.

“Life wasn’t always easy for him, but he faced it with such heart and courage and that inspired so many of us.

‘We shared so many laughs, chats and unforgettable moments. My heart goes out to his loved ones right now. Take it easy, brother.’

In 2017, Danan took part in Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother, where he was evicted early, saying at the time that he hoped the series would give him a ‘second chance’ for his career.

He regularly called for a return to Hollyoaks and later began the podcast The Morning After With Paul Danan, which ran from 2019 to 2023.

In 2020 he started a drama workshop, Morning After Drama, which grew from online sessions during the pandemic to run workshops in London, Oxford and the South West.

Its website says it targets young people, recovering addicts and ex-prisoners.

His other appearances included E4’s Celebrity Coach Trip and Channel 4 sketch comedy program The Kevin Bishop Show.

DJ Fat Tony, real name Anthony Marnoch, wrote on Instagram that Danan was ‘one of the nicest men’ and said it ‘hurts so much’.

Former EastEnders actor Michael Greco today remembered Danan as a ‘genuine and caring man’ following his death.

“So, so sad to read about the passing of Paul Danan,” he wrote on his Instagram Story alongside a photo of Danan.

‘In this age of fakes and fake people, he was a genuine and caring man who just wanted to please everyone.

‘A lovely warm man who will be missed by many. RIP Buddy.’

EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney also paid tribute to Danan in an Instagram story today, saying: ‘You had your demons but my god you had a heart of gold, RIP Mr. Paul Danan.’

Also today, TV presenter Hayley Palmer hailed her Danan as a ‘one-off’ who was ‘so much fun’.

The Sky presenter, who said she hosted a radio show with Danan on Love Sport Radio, recalled that he had invited her to a Prodigy concert a few weeks ago.

‘I’m absolutely in pieces. Love you forever @pauldanan,’ she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of them together.

She added: ‘Paul was a one of a kind character, he was sooo funny! We were good friends and did a radio show on Love Sport Radio together and I fell off my chair laughing!

‘And he was one of the first to reach out to me when I wasn’t in a good place last year.’

Palmer said the last messages they exchanged were to tell each other ‘love you’.

Adam Deacon called Danan a ‘genuinely kind and compassionate person’.

Bafta-winning actor, writer, director and producer Deacon, known for his starring role in Kidulthood, wrote in an Instagram story: ‘I have just heard the devastating news of Paul Danan who has tragically passed away.

‘I had the pleasure of working with him and he was a genuinely kind and compassionate person.’

He added that his ‘thoughts’ are with his friends and family.

Last year, Danan told The Sun about his addiction to vaping, saying he collapsed in May due to using the e-cigarette.

He also said he was warned by a nurse that if he ‘was ever to smoke in any form again, I risk being connected to an oxygen tank later in life’.

Danan quit smoking in 2021 and said he then became ‘obsessed’ with vapes and ‘always wanted one in my hand, I’d even go to bed with it, as a comfort thing’.

He previously discussed his drug addiction and recovery on ITV’s The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019, which he says began when he was a teenager.

Danan said he had to ‘work hard at it every day to keep recovering’.

In 2010 he pleaded guilty to drugs and offenses and was fined £350 and referred to a drug support agency by Stevenage Magistrates’ Court.