Paul Danan was due to appear in court for drug and driving offences just hours before his death, it has been revealed.
The Hollyoaks actor was supposed to appear for a plea hearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court in Cheshire on Thursday, reports the Mirror. As said in court documents, he had been charged with being in possession of several bags of cocaine as well as a ‘quantity’ of cannabis.
Paul was also accused of driving a vehicle in Warrington whilst under the influence of drugs on October 2, 2024. The Celebrity Love Island and Big Brother star struggled with drug addiction throughout his life and had opened up about his battles during interviews and podcasts.
Paul Danan died aged 46, his management announced
(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Announcing the news of his death, his management 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 previously discussed the time he overdosed on heroin. Speaking on The Dozen with Liam Tuffs podcast, he revealed he had an overdose not long after returning from a rehab stint in South Africa following his exit from Hollyoaks.
He said at the time: “It took a bad route, a very dark route. Drugs, I had an overdose. I came out of rehab in South Africa. The psychiatrist had put me on all these anti-psychotics. I was there for months. I got back home and my parents were so proud of me. I was fat and horrible and didn’t feel like myself.”
He previously opened up about his near-fatal overdose
(Image: Instagram)
He revealed he left to get cocaine but also bought heroin – which he never used before. Paul continued: “They gave me my keys and car and I detoured and got some gear, some coke. I got a bag of brown [heroin] which I’d never done before. I snorted it and shouldn’t have snorted it because that’s dangerous. I ended up having an overdose really bad.”
When he got home to go to bed, his parents noticed something was off and immediately called the ambulance. His mother was the one who found him and heard him ‘gagging on his last breath’. Paul explained at the time: “My little brother was next door which was the saddest thing about it because still to this day he’s been traumatised by it. She called the ambulance and luckily they were parked down the end of the road.
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“They came and said what has he taken and she said he doesn’t do drugs. They knew they had to give me the antidote. F*** me, it was Pulp Fiction. All I could see was my dad’s face at the end of the ambulance. My mum said to me she’d already said goodbye to me. I saw my dad’s face and could see this look of absolute disgust and hate, but relief, ‘Oh my God, he’s alive’.”
A few years ago, the star said he was suffering hallucinations after taking cocaine in a hotel room. At that point, he had been to rehab 17 times. Speaking to The Sun, Paul said that he “felt so terrible, guilty and ashamed” when he began using again and that it became “really scary”. “I didn’t want to be on my own in lockdown so I left my flat in Hertfordshire and moved back in with mum and dad in Essex,” he said. “I thought everything would be fine as I hadn’t touched any drugs in 18 months and life was good.”
After seeing an empty baggie, he soon relapsed and ended up at a hotel – where he hallucinated that were going to come in through the door.
*Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.
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