Former Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan dies aged 46

Former Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan dies  aged 46.
Former Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan, who played Sol Patrick  on Channel 4  television between 1997 and 2001, has died  aged 46, his management company has  announced.
The independent creative management said in a statement: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the  death of Paul Danan at  the age of 46.
"Known for his television presence,  incredible talent and unwavering kindness, Paul was a beacon of light to so many."
Danan was also known for his appearances on Celebrity Love Island in 2005 and 2006, and Celebrity Big Brother in  2017.
Danan's management company added: "His untimely  death will leave  an irreplaceable  void in the lives of all who knew  him. "During this difficult time, we  ask for respect and privacy  from Paul's family,  friends and colleagues."
Danan, who was born and raised in Essex, had  a brief role in EastEnders as a  child, then went to  the Italia Conti drama school  in London and joined Hollyoaks at  19.
His character Sol was a fan favourite  and fan favorite - and something of  an idol -  in the  soap opera.
Danan asked to leave the  series four years later and Sol was last seen fleeing the  country with Jess  Holt.
He moved to Los Angeles, where he spent  three and a half years trying to build a  career.
"But I tried to party and do well, and you can't  be a Hollywood star if you  party," he told BBC Radio Bristol last  year. "I was young, I was 22, 23, and I came back very  thin with a tan but no  job. So I came back  and ... suddenly reality TV  came along, so I  wanted to do that and make  some money."
Most recently, he  launched the podcast The Morning After With Paul Danan, which  ran from 2019  to 2023.
Other appearances  include Celebrity Coach Trip  on E4 and Channel 4 sketch  show The Kevin Bishop Show. The actor had also said he  wanted to return to  Hollyoaks.
Danan spoke about his health  problems last year after  ending up in intensive care with  pneumonia. He told the Sun on Sunday that hospital staff had told him to stop smoking in  all its forms. Having given up  smoking in  recent years, Danan said he  became "obsessed" with  the vapes available.
He also discussed  his past drug problems, including  his addiction to cocaine and codeine, which he used to  "calm down" after losing  an acting  role in his 20s while in the  US.
He also said he had spent  more than £1million on rehab over the years and once overdosed on  heroin.