Fans are mourning the loss of a star gone too soon.
Paul Danan—who rose to fame as a teen on Britain’s Hollyoaks soap opera—has died at the age of 46, his management company confirmed, noting their “heavy hearts” at having to share the news.
“Known for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many,” Independent Creative Management wrote in its Jan. 16 post. “His untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him. During this difficult time, we kindly request respect and privacy for Paul’s family, friends, and colleagues.”
The agency did not share any details regarding a cause of death and noted it would not be sharing any additional comments at this time.
Danan began acting with small roles as a child, including in Eastenders, but it was his role as Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks at the age of 19 that would help propel him into the spotlight.
Quickly becoming a fan-favorite, Danan appeared on the series from 1997 to 2001. Throughout his career, he also appeared in British children’s series The Queen’s Nose and The Basil Brush Show as well as the medical series Casualty and moved to Los Angeles in his 20s before pivoting into reality TV.
“I tried to party and do well, and you can't become a Hollywood star if you are partying as well," he told BBC Radio Bristol last year of his move to Los Angeles. "I was young, I was 22, 23, and I came back very skinny with a tan but with no work. So I came back and… suddenly there was reality TV so I thought, I'll do that and make up the money."
His reality TV appearances included Come Dine With Me, Celebrity Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother. Danan also had a podcast called The Morning After With Paul Danan which he helmed from 2019 to 2023.
Over the years, the soap opera alum did not shy away from sharing the realities of a life in the spotlight, including his hope to return to Hollyoaks.
"It made me become a better actor,” he said in conversation with WhatsOnStage in 2018 of the series. “I had so much fun, but being in a soap is one of the hardest jobs in acting."
He continued, “It's been difficult to get the industry to take me seriously as an actor. They see me as Paul from Celebrity Love Island or Celebrity Big Brother. I just think I'm versatile."
Danan was also candid about his struggles with addiction and health challenges related to vaping, as well as navigating his mental health. In 2020, he began teaching theater workshops in Bristol before launching Morning After Drama, a therapy program designed to help people with mental health, addiction and trauma-related issues through acting.
Of the program, Danan said, “It's been amazing and honestly I've changed people's lives.”
Following the news of Danan’s passing, fellow actor Adam Deacon took to social media to share his grief over the “devastating news."
“I had the pleasure of working with him,” Deacon wrote of Danan on his Jan. 16 Instagram Story, “and he was a genuinely kind and compassionate person.”
He added, “You never know what someone is going through, so let’s always be kind and compassionate to one another.”