Paul Danan rose to fame as Sol Patrick on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, but it was often his TV moments as himself that he became best known for.
From on-screen confrontations to bed-hopping, it’s clear the much-loved star was well-versed in entertaining the nation.
The actor’s death was announced by his management on Thursday who said: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of @pauldanan at just 46 years old.’
‘Known for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many.
‘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. No further comments will be made at this time.’
Paul became known for his stints on various reality shows over the years including the first series of Love Island to having his own show with Calum Best and Fran Cosgrave.
Paul Danan rose to fame as Sol Patrick on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, but it was often his TV moments as himself that he became best known for (pictured on Celebrity Big Brother)
During his time on Love Island in 2005, Paul (left) came to blows with Fran Cosgrave (right), a nightclub manager and a former manager of Westlife
He also struck up a flirty relationship with glamour model Abi Titmuss and was seen climbing into bed with her
In later years he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother – where he famously came to blows with eventual winner Sarah Harding – and claimed he needed therapy after taking part in Celebrity Coach Trip in 2022.
Paul took part in the first series of Celebrity Love Islad in 2005 alongside the likes of Abi Titmuss, Rebecca Loos and Calum Best.
During his time on the show, Paul came to blows with Fran Cosgrave, a nightclub manager and a former manager of Westlife.
Fran took issue with Paul – who became known as ‘Dangeorus Danan’ for his antics – for drunken comments he made about some of the female islanders.
Speaking to Vice, Fran said: ‘When I came out, my Mum was like, ‘I’m so glad you didn’t hit that boy.
‘He got right up in my face but then security separated us. He was screaming and blinding while being dragged away.’
At one point, Paul became so violent that some of the other islanders reportedly refused to sleep in the same room as him.
Paul later admitted on the Teenage Diary Podcast that he was going through drug withdrawal while on the show.
Paul and Fran eventually made up though as they, along with Calum Best, appeared on the ITV2 show Calum, Fran and Dangerous Danan in 2006
It was on this series that Paul ended up squaring off with Calum as the pair got into a drunken fight where punches were thrown
In one scene from the show, Paul slapped Calum across the face while they were in a bar. They were later seen pushing and shoving each other outside
‘I remember actually crawling to the beach hut in the first few days and I was shivering and shaking, going, ‘Oh my god, I don’t know what’s going on with me,’ he said.
The actor also had a flirty relationship with glamour model Abi while on the show and was seen cupping her breast while they were in bed together.
Paul and Fran eventually made up though as they, along with Calum Best, appeared on the ITV2 show Calum, Fran and Dangerous Danan in 2006.
The series followed the trio as they travelled from Texas to Los Angeles on America’s U.S. Route 66.
It was on this series that Paul ended up squaring off with Calum as the pair got into a drunken fight where punches were thrown.
In one scene from the show, Paul slapped Calum across the face while they were in a bar. They were later seen pushing and shoving each other outside.
Paul shouted: ‘Who the f**k do you think you are? I’ll f***ing kill you’ as they brawled.
Another one of Paul’s most memorable TV moments came over a decade later when he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017.
The soap star came to blows with Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding after fellow housemate Brandi Glanville told him: ‘Sarah said that you were taking a pill’, apparently referring to a painkiller.
Paul, who was open about his battle with drug addiction, became infuriated and confronted Sarah who was sat in the garden smoking area.
Another one of Paul’s most memorable TV moments came over a decade later when he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017
The soap star came to blows with Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding after he was told the singer had said he was ‘taking a pill’
‘Don’t ever insinuate a pill I’m taking,’ he said. ‘Don’t ever say or predict or assume or insinuate I’m taking any kind of tablet.’
‘You need to calm down,’ Sarah said.
‘How dare you sink that low, what’s your f***ing problem? How dare you, you’re f***ing out of order.’
‘I didn’t say anything,’ Sarah said.
‘I just heard it from five people,’ Paul shouted. ‘Don’t you f***ing dare do that, you’re f***ing out of order. You want to hit low? Go below the belt?
[You ain’t got a f***ing clue. I’m the one that’s clean and sober, what the f**k are you doing?’
Paul became the fifth housemate evicted on Day 18 while Sarah went on to win the show. She died of breast cancer aged 39 in 2021.
One of his last reality TV appearances was Celebrity Coach Trip in 2022.
The series featured a variety of celebrity couples on a 10-day tour, the couples get to vote off the other couples that they do not get along with.
Paul admitted he was left needed therapy after the show, saying: ‘I had to get a bit of counselling. It taps into a lot of stuff – like rejection. It’s brutal.’
The actor previously starred as Sol Patrick on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks from 1997 to 2001
Paul reflected on his wild younger days during an interview on The Dozen With Liam Tuffs podcast.
Paul spoke about his many flings and estimated he has slept with over one thousand women.
Asked how many women he has slept with, he replied: ‘I don’t know. I think we’re definitely in the higher range. More than a thousand, yeah.’
Prior to his death, Paul had been running his Morning After Drama group and prison workshops which help those struggling with addiction and mental health issues.
In November he was also pictured arriving at Bristol Magistrates Court.
His last Instagram post, shared on January 9, showed Paul filming himself performing a scene from the William Shakespear paly Twelfth Night.
He captioned the post: ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve gone near a bit of the Master that is Our pioneer Sir William Shakespeare.
‘You forget what a Genius he really was and remember how beautiful and exhilarating it is when you get stuck in to tackling his work. It’s an amazing experience! I forget sometimes how much i need to be awoken…’
In December, Paul also hosted a TikTok Live where he discussed his struggles with mental health, in a bid to raise money for his charity The Other Side Of Morning CIC, which aimed to build ‘more community projects around the UK for people struggling with their mental health.’
