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Tragic Paul Danan opened up about health battle that ruined his relationships and confessed ‘I wish I’d known earlier’
"I wore my heart on my sleeve and said what I wanted," he said before sadly passing away
HE once boasted of sleeping with more than 1,000 women, but in reality, Paul Danan's ADHD diagnosis blighted his relationships.
Paul, best known for his role as Sol in Hollyoaks as well as appearances on the original series of Celebrity Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother, passed away on Thursday at the age of 46.
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Speaking exclusively to Fabulous’ Joel Cooper in an unpublished interview back in 2022, Paul revealed it wasn't until his diagnosis of ADHD, that he finally understood why his love life over the years had been so tumultuous.
“It's affected my relationships throughout my life and that's why I'm still single,” he explained about the news, which he received in 2019.
“If you're with someone who doesn't understand you and I'm not understanding myself, it's only now that I can talk about it and I can learn more.”
Paul had been linked to a string of famous women, including Angelina Jolie, Kelly Brook, Katie Price, Mel Sykes, Emma Bunton and Isaballe Hervey but any romance struggled to stand the test of time.
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"I was a very late diagnosis and [...] I wish I would've known earlier," he explained.
Last year he revealed he was serious about finding “the right person” - especially after coming to terms with his diagnosis.
The dad-of-one, from Chigwell, Essex said: “Even though ADHD is a super power where you can zone in on something that you like and then you can do your best at it, anything you don't like you won't want to do so you lose all interest.
“That goes for people and relationships too. If you're not bothered, your attention span is not there.
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“We [those with ADHD] can't regulate our emotional mind very well, so we say things without pausing and thinking, whereas most people would have that filter where they think: ‘maybe I shouldn't say that.’
“We use the very emotional mind, we're very impulsive and we just say what we're thinking without thinking: 'that might offend them or upset them' - and then afterwards feel terrible about it and realise on reflection.”
Paul appeared on Celebrity Love Island back in 2005 where he claimed that Playboy model Nikki Ziering gave him a “two minute long blow***” during their time on the ITV dating show.
Paul Danan's haunting final instagram post revealed just days before tragic death aged 46
Previously speaking on Jamie East’s Reality Check podcast, he said: “Nikki Ziering... the Playboy model comes in and overtakes everything... 2 minutes 58 [seconds] blow***!
"They put the little time counter at the top of the screen.
"We went in the toilets, and then we were out...but a minute of it was spent taking off our microphones!"
He continued: "I wore my heart on my sleeve [on Love Island] and said what I wanted to say all the time, I didn't really think, 'we're on a show, we're being watched'.
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I was a very late diagnosis and now it makes so much sense - with my addictions
Paul Danan
“I saw it as a holiday - if I want to get off with her then I can - I wasn't thinking about the bigger picture because my mind is only focused on what's around me.
“I had rows on the show...I would never have done that if I'd have known, 'you can't react like that,’ when you're not able to regulate that emotional mind you just react.”
In 2010, Paul was struggling with addiction and had since been open about his battles with substance abuse, previously revealing how he had been to rehab 17 times.
Paul Danan has died aged just 46 - here's a look back at his life...
- Paul revealed he nearly died from vape addiction just six months ago
- The former Love Islander took on a surprising new career 22 years after leaving Hollyoaks
- The showbiz world reacts to the news Paul Danan has died aged 46 as tributes pour in
- Paul’s health struggles are revealed including vape addiction and heroin overdose
- His haunting final Instagram post revealed he was auditioning for new roles
- Inside Paul's charity mission to raise £5k for those struggling with addiction & mental health issues
Back in 2019, he appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show and told how he had sought therapy over high healthy struggles as he continually relapsed.
He said: “[My] very late diagnosis [...]now it makes so much sense - with my addictions.
“I wish I would've known earlier. Since then I've been clean, I've got a business now, I'm helping people through the world of drama and theatre.”
In June last year, Paul had to be “brought back to life” after suffering respiratory failure which was triggered by an addiction to vapes.
The reality star was given CPR by his family after losing consciousness at home, before having to spend a week in intensive care.
While his cause of death is not yet known, he recently revealed on Instagram that his passion for acting had been revitalised by the potential of a new role.
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He wrote: "Audition for A Twelfth Night to play Orsino.
It's been a long time since I've gone near a bit of the Master that is Our pioneer Sir William Shakespeare.
"You forget what a genius he really was and remember how beautiful and exhilarating it is when you get stuck into tackling his work. It's an amazing experience! I forget sometimes how much I need to be awoken..."
His untimely departure will leave irreplaceable voids in the lives of all who knew him
Independent Creative Pr
He gained lots of comments from celeb pals including Calum Best, who applauded his work, whilst fans praised him for being "awesome" and declaring he’s “still got it.”
News of his death was announced by Independent Creative Pr.
A heartfelt message 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.
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"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."
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.
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