Hollyoaks star Paul Danan died at his Bristol home from a cocktail of drugs including cocaine and heroin, an inquest opening heard this morning.
Danan died at a property in Brislington on January 15. The inquest into his death was held at Avon Coroner’s Court.
Coroner's officer Alexis Camp confirmed his cause of death. The primary cause was 'combined toxicity of heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine and zopiclone, with a secondary contributory finding of benzodiazepine'.
Paul Danan starred as Sol Patrick from 1997 to 2001 on Channel 4's Hollyoaks. He was later known for his reality TV appearances, including on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island.
When talking to Bristol Live in 2021, the actor revealed how “no one checked” on him during his time on reality TV shows. At the time, he was suffering with addiction and mental health problems.
He spoke frankly about his struggles and going to rehab 17 times. “You break your arm, people care about you,” he said.
"You become ill from alcohol and drug addiction, people think ‘I don’t want to be like that'."
Danan continued his recovery journey in Bristol, whilst helping out at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in the Cotswolds. “I’ve come to Bristol because I was doing some work for myself here," he told BristolLive.
Key Events
Danan aged 46 when he died
The coroner's court heard Mr Danan was born in Leytonstone in east London on July 2, 1978 and was 46 when he died. He was described as single, and an actor. No family members were present at the opening of the hearing.
Avon coroner Marie Voisin adjourned the inquest to receive detailed reports and pencilled in a date of May 28 for a full hearing.
Danan formally identified at scene
Mr Danan's partner Melissa Crooks formally identified Mr Danan to paramedics and police at the scene.
Danan was found unresponsive in flat
The coroner's hearing was told that Paul Lewis Danan was found unresponsive at his flat in Bath Road, Brislington, and paramedics called at around 5.20pm on January 15.
Paramedics and police attended and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cause of death confirmed
Coroner's officer Alexis Camp has confirmed the cause of death of Paul Danan. The primary cause 1A was 'combined toxicity of heroin, methadone, codeine, pregabalin, cocaine and zopiclone, with a secondary contributory finding of benzodiazepine.
