“Paul was a beacon of light to so many.”

Hollyoaks and Love Island star Paul Danan has died at the age of 46.

His management announced the news in a statement on Thursday (January 16).

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan at just 46 years old,” the statement read.

“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.”

Danan is best known for portraying Sol Patrick in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, making his first appearance in 1997.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo in 1999, he credited the show with giving him his breakthrough in acting, saying: “There’s so many actors out there and not much work all the time.

“It’s very hard, so I think I’m really lucky to have this.”

Danan left Hollyoaks in 2001 and moved to Los Angeles, telling BBC Radio Bristol that he “tried to party and do well, and you can’t become a Hollywood star if you are partying as well…

“So I came back and… suddenly there was reality TV so I thought, I’ll do that and make up the money.”

Danan, whose further acting credits include The Queen’s Nose, Casualty and Good Girls Club, went on to appear on the very first series of Love Island in 2005, when it had an all-celebrity lineup. He returned the following year in 2006.

His subsequent reality TV appearances also included Celebrity Big Brother in 2017, and Celebrity Coach Trip in 2022.

Speaking in 2018, Danan expressed a desire to return to Hollyoaks as Sol, telling Bang Showbiz: “If I came back it’d be awesome because I’d have a bit of a tan and would cause havoc with the Osbornes again.

“I’d love to see it, I loved the character.”

In recent years, Danan moved into podcasting with The Morning After with Paul Danan. Running from 2019 to 2023, he discussed topics including acting, fame, addiction and recovery, mental health and current affairs with special guests.

In 2020, he founded Morning After Drama, alongside a “collective of passionate specialist recovery and mental health workers and producers”.

The organisation uses theatre and improvisation workshops to support people “who have experienced trauma, been involved with the criminal justice system, suffered from addiction, poor mental health and negative relationships with themselves and others to (re)discover who they are”.