90s TV icon Paul Danan has been incredibly candid about his troubled past – suffering addictions to drugs and vaping.
The Hollyoaks actor, who played Sol Patrick on the Channel 4 soap in the 90s, has died at the age of 46. His death was announced by his management, who released a statement which read: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan 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 the respect and privacy for Paul’s family, friend and colleagues. No further comments will be made at this time.”
Throughout his career, Paul battled various addictions and previously revealed he had visited rehab 17 times. Celebrity Big Brother star Paul publicly discussed two terrifying near-death experiences – one of which occurred after he suffered respiratory failure and the other was following a drug overdose.
In June last year, just six months ago, Paul revealed he had to be brought back to life after suffering respiratory failure due to his vaping addiction.
Paul developed his vaping addiction after stopping cigarettes in 2021. The soap actor and reality star revealed he was under the impression that vaping was “healthier”. However, his addiction soon turned to vaping and he “got obsessed”. He said: “Everywhere I went I’d have my vape with me. I’d always have one in my hand, I would even go to sleep with it, like a comfort thing.”
However, Paul’s vaping addiction caused him to collapse and he was rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital in London. Paul received treatment in intensive care and also got pneumonia.
“I was dead – it’s a miracle I’m here. I’m upstairs puffing away on my vape then suddenly I lost my breath and collapsed. My family called for an ambulance and started giving me CPR, then police arrived and took over before paramedics took me to hospital,” he said at the time, before revealing that his family were given the worst news.
He recalled of his hospital stay, blaming his admission on his vaping: “I was on a machine in ICU and ended up with pneumonia. My family were warned that I might not make it through the night. I’m so lucky.”
Paul was given a stern warning by his doctor, who explained to him that if he ever smoked again he could end up on an oxygen tank.
The actor’s hospital stint last year isn’t his only brush with death. In 2017 Paul revealed his mother found him “choking on his last breath” after he suffered an overdose.
Paul, who likened the experience to the famous Pulp Fiction scene where Mia Wallace was injected with adrenaline, told Rehab Recovery at the time how he needed an injection in his heart to “bring me back”.
He said: “My mum found me in my bed and I was making these weird noises and choking on my last breath.
“The ambulance was down the road thankfully, but by the time they arrived I was dead and they brought me back to life. It was awful.” Paul revealed he had been given heroin and “didn’t know how to take it”. He said: “I snorted it. I wasn’t a heroin addict. I took it once and have never touched it since.”
Paul was addicted to “various party drugs” but also battled an addiction to codeine, after being prescribed it for pain relief after breaking his shoulder during a motorbike accident.
He previously told The Sun: “In 2006 and 2007 I was in and out of rehab for cocaine and party drugs and would just keep relapsing and have to go back in.
“Then I was OK for a few years, but in 2010 I came off my motorbike and broke my shoulder and learnt doctors give painkillers out like anything, so I soon became addicted to codeine.
“I kept taking the painkillers to numb the pain and because I have a tendency for addiction I got used to them and once you get used to opiates you get used to that pill, so you need more to take the pain away.”
Paul explained how the withdrawal “makes you ill, really, really sick” and it’s “hard to stop”. The star finally underwent a detox and it took him “many years to come off”. He warned: “Painkillers, prescribed medication from the doctor, can be a killer, it’s dangerous, and it can become a real dependency.”
The TV star appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019 and frankly told viewers: “I am an addict”, when asked by the host why he continued to take drugs despite his brush with death.
*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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