Exclusive
HOPE FOR LOVE
Paul Danan planned TV return to find love on First Dates before tragic death at 46
The 46-year-old's funeral was held on Tuesday just weeks after producers hoped to sign him for the Channel 4 show
PAUL Danan was in secret talks to star on Channel 4’s First Dates just weeks before his death.
The 46-year-old was feeling hopeful for the future as he prepared for a TV comeback to turn his life around and find his happily ever after.
3
3
It followed a near-death experience six months ago when the former Hollyoaks star was almost killed from respiratory failure brought on by a vape addiction.
Facing death gave Paul a fresh lease of life - admitting it was a “miracle” he had survived.
A source told The Sun: “Paul was feeling so excited about the future again and optimistic about finding someone he could share the rest of his life with.
“He loved being on telly and First Dates seemed like a great opportunity to get back onto the dating scene.
READ MORE ON FIRST DATES
“Obviously producers were really keen to sign him up knowing how popular he was and they were in discussions about him joining the next series.
“He would have been brilliant on a date in the famous restaurant - with a real chance of finding love.”
Instead, just weeks later, Paul was found dead at a property close to Bristol. His cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
His funeral took place on Tuesday, with Boyzone’s Shayne Lynch, Layer Cake actor Tamer Hassan and Hollyoaks stars among the guests.
Most read in News TV
Cast members and friends of Paul have since created a JustGiving page to help raise money for his nine-year-old son DeNiro.
Paul was best known for playing Sol Patrick in a four-year stint at Hollyoaks before starring in the original series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005.
Paul Danan's haunting final instagram post revealed just days before tragic death aged 46
His most recent TV appearance was on series seven of Celebrity Coach Trip in 2022.
In a final post on social media, Paul shared his excitement with fans over a potential new acting role.
He had auditioned for a Shakespeare production of A Twelfth Night to play Orsino.
A Channel 4 spokesman confirmed to The Sun: "Paul’s agent was approached to find out if he might be interested in appearing in the upcoming main series."
3
Behind the headlines, Paul was a sweet, vulnerable, big-hearted guy
BY Oliver Grady, Assistant Showbiz Editor
Paul Danan may have grabbed his share of column inches over his all too short 46 years, from his colourful love life to his well-documented struggles with addiction, but behind the headlines, there was a very sweet, vulnerable, big-hearted guy.
I’ve met and spoken with Paul many times over the years and have always had a soft spot for him. He was funny, articulate, smart and great company.
Yes, he had his demons, but he was very open about them and was always striving to be a better version of himself.
He was extremely proud of his theatre company, The Morning After, which he set up to help fellow addicts work through their trauma through drama and acting.
While he seemed lost at times, and on several occasions opened up to me about his struggle to be taken seriously in the industry after his private life exploits overshadowed his professional accomplishments, he clearly found a purpose in supporting others and helping them stay on the path of recovery.
There was only one thing Paul was prouder of than his recovery and his theatre company, and that was his son DeNiro.
Paul lit up when he spoke about his boy, and looked forward to spending the weekends with him as he co-parented with the lad’s mum.
His whatsapp photo was him beaming with DeNiro, and he loved to talk about his offspring’s accomplishments and his hopes for his future.
It breaks my heart that DeNiro now has to go through the rest of his life without his dad, and Paul will never see him grow up.
I last heard from Paul at Christmas, when he left me a voicenote saying he had some exciting things planned for 2025.
I told him we’d catch up in the New Year, but sadly we never got the chance to.
I’ll miss you Paul. You were one of life’s good ones.
Topics