British actor and Love Island star Paul Danan has died aged 46

British actor and reality star Paul Danan has died at the age of 46.

Representatives for Danan confirmed the news on Thursday, January 16, writing via Instagram“It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of Paul Danan’s passing at the age of 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.”

A cause of death was not disclosed in the statement from Independent Creative Management. “During this difficult time, we kindly ask for respect and privacy for Paul’s family, friends and colleagues. No further comment will be made at this time,” the post concluded.

Danan’s former Celebrity Big Brother costs Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace tributes following the news of his death.

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“Paul Danan… one of my friends… I am so shocked and heartbroken…. my dear husband… I will cherish all our happy memories,” she wrote via Instagram. “RIP you beautiful amazing talented human being.”

Michael Grecoknown for his role in the BBC soap opera EastEnderswent to X with his own message. “So, so sad to read about the passing of Paul Danan. In this time of fakes and fake people, he was a genuine and caring man who just wanted to make everyone happy,” he wrote. “A lovely warm man who will be missed by many. RIP Buddy.”

Danan rose to stardom while playing Sol Patrick on Hollyoaks from 1997 to 2001. He also appeared in British children’s shows The Queen’s nose and The Basil Brush Show before being cast in the medical drama Casualty.

After finding success with scripted projects, Danan became a fixture on reality television in the UK, where he appeared Come Dine With Me, Celebrity Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother. He is survived by his 8-year-old son, Deniro.

Less than a year before his death, Danan was admitted to hospital with respiratory failure in June 2024. He told Britain’s The sun at the time he spent a week in intensive care due to his vaping addiction.

“I’m upstairs puffing away on my vape, then all of a sudden I lost my breath and collapsed,” he recalled. “My family called an ambulance and started giving me CPR, then the police arrived and took over before paramedics took me to hospital. I was on a machine in the intensive care unit and ended up with pneumonia. My family were warned that I might not would make it through the night, I’m so lucky.”

Danan’s doctor “was so, so tough” after the health scare. “She told me, ‘Paul, you don’t know how serious this was and you’re going to be here for a while now on this oxygen,'” he added. “She said if I ever smoke in any form again, I risk being attached to an oxygen tank later in life. She said that was it now.”.

Danan’s last post on social media before his death was an audition tape for the character Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night.

“It is a long time since I have been near a master like our pioneer Sir William Shakespeare,” he wrote earlier this month. “You forget what a genius he really was and remember how beautiful and exciting it is when you get stuck tackling his work. It’s an amazing experience! I sometimes forget how much I need to be woken up .”