Paul Danan funeral: Hollyoaks star laid to rest as mourners say goodbye after tragic death

This afternoon, loved ones gathered at Waltham Abbey to pay their respects at the funeral of Paul Danan.

The 46 year old, who rose to fame in the 2000s, tragically lost his life last week after reportedly suffering a fatal accident in a luxury apartment near Bristol. According to neighbours, an ambulance was called to the flat on Wednesday evening.

Paul’s management team broke the devastating news of his passing last Thursday, describing him as a “beacon of light”. In a statement, they said: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of @pauldanan at just 46 years old.”

“Paul was a shining light to many, known for his television presence, exceptional talent, and unwavering kindness. His untimely departure will leave a void in the lives of all who knew him that can never be filled.”

“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.”

Avon and Somerset Police later released a statement providing further details about Paul’s death: “Officers attended a property in Brislington, Bristol, at around 5.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 January) where sadly a man in his 40s was declared deceased by paramedics.”

“His family have been notified and our thoughts are with them. They have asked for people to respect their privacy during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement read. “His death is not being treated as suspicious and officers are preparing a file for the coroner.”

The individual was scheduled to face a court hearing for drug and driving offences mere hours before his untimely demise.

He was expected to plead at Warrington Magistrates’ Court in Cheshire on Thursday, facing charges of possessing multiple bags of cocaine and a ‘quantity’ of cannabis, according to the court documents.

This legal trouble followed a harrowing incident months prior when he was taken to hospital and administered CPR due to respiratory failure triggered by his vaping addiction. The situation was so dire at the time that his family was cautioned he might not survive.

Last year, while in intensive care for a week, he developed pneumonia. He attributed this health scare to his long history of smoking.

He recounted the frightening episode: “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. I was on a machine in ICU and ended up with pneumonia. My family were warned I might not make it through the night. I’m so lucky.”

Furthermore, he disclosed that doctors did not mince words about the gravity of his condition. He relayed their stern message: “The doctor was so, so harsh with me. She told me, ‘Paul, you don’t know how serious this was and you are going to be in here for a while now, on this oxygen’. She said if I ever smoke in any form again I risk being linked to an oxygen tank later on in life. She said that’s it now.”

Paul’s final update on social media, posted a week prior to his passing, was an audition tape for the role of Orsino in ‘A Twelfth Night’. In the wake of his death, fans have flooded the comments with condolences.

One person shared: “RIP mate sleep well.”

Meanwhile, another voiced their shock: “So shocked. I hope it’s not true. RIP Paul. Why are so many young and vibrant people leaving us so soon? “.

The former soap star, who also graced the first edition of Love Island back in 2005, never shied away from discussing his battles with addiction. In a candid conversation with Liam Tuffs on The Dozen podcast, he recounted that his introduction to cocaine occurred at age 19, on his very first day filming Hollyoaks.