Paul Danan’s friend Dapper Laughs shared a voicenote conversation between himself and the late Hollyoaks star where they candidly discussed their addiction struggles
Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan laid bare his feelings about his addiction struggles in a candid voicenote conversation before his death.
The Hollyoaks star was just 46 years old when he died earlier this week. Paul was called a “beacon of light” as his management announced the sad news in a statement.
His cause of death is yet to be confirmed but it’s been reported he ‘slipped and fell’ in his luxury apartment near Bristol before his death. On Thursday, Avon and Somerset Police released a statement on Paul’s death, it read: “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.”
Scores of celebrities came forward to pay tribute to the Celebrity Love Island star including Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, Dean Gaffney and Calum Best all honouring the late star.
Now, friend and comedian Dapper Laughs has also come forward to honour Paul and shared how the actor, who had been open about his addictions throughout the years, supported him through his own battles. Content creator Dapper, who’s real name is Daniel O’Reilly, shared a video on his Instagram page and talked about his and Paul’s friendship.
During the video, Dapper also shared a voicenote conversation he had with the late Hollyoaks actor. In the voicenote Paul can be heard saying: “My brother, just thought I’d touch base really see how you are, how you’re feeling, all that jazz. your therapist Pauly’s here if you wanna have a chat. love you mate.”
Dapper, who appeared in theatre show Time alongside Paul, replied, “I’m fighting a similar fight to what you’ve been fighting for years. The self-destrctuive stuff and from the point we’re rehearsing I’m gonna go completely sober – no booze, nothing.”
A supportive Paul then told his pal: “I’m so, so, so happy. I know, Dan, I know you’re one of us. I knew it from the minute we left you were like, ‘let’s go and have a beer’. That’s me, that’s f**king me. You know, don’t you think I f**king wanted to. But I don’t anymore because I know I don’t need it, we don’t need it.
“Look at us on the couch we’re the best of ourselves. We were f**king dynamic, buzzing, brilliant. We don’t need any of that s**t we’re the best of ourselves without it and with it it makes us weaker, it makes us less that what we need to be.”
Daniel discussed his grief following Paul’s death as he said: ““I don’t normally comment on people passing away, but I really wanted to say a few words about Paul.
“It’s upset me today hearing about him passing. He helped me, and he was so nice to me. He was my pal.” The comedian also credited Paul for helping to change his life. He added: “People close to me obviously had said that I had a drink problem back in the day, but he was the first person to really put a label on it and introduced me to what that was.”
Paul, who was due to appear in court the day his death was announced, had been incredibly honest about his own addiction issues over the years. The TV star even came close to death following an overdose which took place shortly after leaving rehab in South Africa.
The Hollyoaks star’s mum found him “choking on his last breath” after he took an overdose of heroin. Recalling the traumatic ordeal in 2017, 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.”
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*Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email [email protected], message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.