Paul Dunnan, the former Hollyoaks star, passed away at 46 in a luxury Bristol flat intended for his recovery from addiction. Neighbors reported an ambulance was called, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Days before his death, he was due in court on charges related to drug possession. Dunnan, known for his roles in Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother, had openly discussed his struggles with addiction and his efforts to help others in recovery. Despite his fame, he faced career challenges and personal battles that led to his tragic end. Police reported no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Troubled Hollyoaks star Paul Dunnan died at the luxury flat where he was staying to kick his drug addiction, MailOnline revealed today.
Neighbors told how an ambulance was called to the flat near Bristol on Wednesday night, but how paramedics were unable to save the star.
Mr Dunnan, 46, who appeared on Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother, was due to appear in court the next day on charges of possessing a Class A drug.
In a podcast seven months ago, Danan described what it was like living in a “dry house” in Bristol. The house is believed to be the £392,000 flat where he was found dead.
The Grade II-listed facility is part of a former Georgia psychiatric hospital and includes 10 acres of grounds, as well as a swimming pool, gym and tennis court.
Judith Kim Skilton, 46, a self-help coach specializing in mental health, is also registered for the one-bedroom property.
Danan’s neighbors said he was “spending time alone” in his first-floor apartment.
One person told MailOnline: “I didn’t know he was famous. I don’t think anyone living here knew who he was until he died.”
“His family has been here ever since and they asked us not to say anything.”
Former Hollyoaks actor Paul Dunnan died at the age of 46 at this flat in Brislington, near Bristol, on Wednesday afternoon, the star’s neighbor confirmed to MailOnline.
Ms Dunnan, who was filming herself auditioning for a Shakespeare role last week, died the day before she was due to appear at Warrington Magistrates Court on suspicion of drug offences.
The star died in a flat worth £392,000 behind these gates. Danan said on a podcast seven months ago that he was living in a flat in Bristol to “dry off” from drugs.
This Georgian apartment is a former psychiatric hospital converted into luxury apartments. Danan ran a charity in Bristol, helping people with mental health issues through the power of performance. The apartment was also registered to a woman named Jude Skilton, who was a director of a charity.
Another neighbor said he saw an ambulance at the common entrance of the gated mansion in Bristol.
She added: “Then we found out the man was alive.” [in the flat] Died. I didn’t know him, it’s so sad. ”
Avon and Somerset Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.
Residents said they believed Danan was living alone in the apartment, battling the demons of addiction.
Until recently, Skelton was a director at a company called Morning After Drama, and Danan was giving talks to fellow addicts at a meeting hall in Bristol on Monday nights.
On LinkedIn, Skelton described herself as: “I am a collaborative, person-centered professional with a passion for empowering and mentoring individuals facing multiple and complex barriers.”
“I am also the director of Morning After Drama, which provides improvisational sessions to people who have experienced traumatic experiences, addiction, lack of self-confidence, poor mental health, etc. and are trying to find their way. We offer
In a YouTube podcast last summer titled “Love Island, Escapades, Addictions,” Danan talked about how he discovered cocaine and later turned to meth and heroin.
Speaking about his addiction and treatment during lockdown, he said: “I’ll probably go to Bristol… I’ll go and live in a dry house. I’ll continue to do this and help my recovering addict. “We need to live in a house with people who are in need of help,” he said.
Danan, who shot to fame as Sol Patrick in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, said that alongside his career as an actor, writer and director, he wanted to teach drama to adults.
The reality TV star was stopped by police while driving his Fiat 500 near Warrington, Cheshire, on October 2 last year.
He was charged with two counts of possession of cocaine and one count of driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs and was due to appear at Warrington Magistrates Court on Thursday, the day after his death.
The hearing was adjourned until a date in February when the court was informed of his tragic death.
Mr Dunnan’s death will be reported to the Avon Coroner, who will decide whether to conduct an inquest after a post-mortem examination.
In his final interview with MailOnline, Paul Dunnan talked about how he lived with his parents and struggled to get a job as an actor, so after leaving Hollyoaks he made a living repairing screens at a phone shop. Ta.
The actor, who shot to fame playing bad boy Sol Patrick in Channel 4’s top soap from 1997 to 2001, has died aged just 46.
He told MailOnline just before Christmas that he regrets quitting Hollyoaks to try to break into Hollywood because he didn’t want to be typecast as a soap star and become “the next Ken Barlow”. spoke.
However, unable to cope with the continued rejection in Los Angeles, he became homesick and was drawn into the dark path of drugs that ruined his life.
He went on Celebrity Love Island after failing in Hollywood, which he said hampered his future prospects, and later blamed “connoisseur” casting directors for his lack of work.
Dannan appeared in Hollyoaks and Love Island alongside Isabella Harvey (pictured). He struggled to land roles later in life, as his career stagnated and roles seemed to dry up.
Danan is pictured leaving Bristol Magistrates Court on November 4 last year.
Paul Dunnan, who died aged just 46, says he shouldn’t have had a hard time adapting to life in Hollywood after leaving Hollyoaks.
After spending “almost £1m on rehabilitation and recovery” over many years and becoming homeless, he moved back in with his parents in Essex in 2020. Until recently he was based in Bristol, teaching students at a drama school and trying to get back into acting.
His last Instagram post last week was for his online audition for the role of Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night, and while fans on social media praised his performance, some said he was stunned. Some people commented that it looked like they were there.
Reflecting on his decision to quit the soap last year, Paul said: “Maybe I shouldn’t have left Hollyoaks, but making that decision was completely unconventional after four years and everyone at the time Because they didn’t do that,” he told MailOnline. I want to be the next Ken Barlow. I always wanted to play different roles, especially when it comes to real actors.
“I wanted to go to L.A. and I actually did. And I got very close to some really big movies and things like that. But the rejection…the thing I hate the most in life is It’s a refusal.
“I chose the only job in the world that gives me that, so go ahead and do it!” But at the same time, I love nothing more than just being there and being a part of that world. That’s all I’ve always trained for.
“Being an actor is a tough job, but I don’t think you realize how lucky you are when you’re on a soapland and have the closest thing to a 9-to-5 acting job. And then you go out and you feel like shit, it’s really hard.”
Paul was due to appear in court yesterday on charges of possession of cocaine and cannabis, and is also charged with driving under the influence of drugs. And just a few months ago, he was on the “brink of death” after his “compulsive” e-cigarette use caused respiratory failure and he required oxygen. He was so addicted that he would vape in bed before going to bed.
Paul, who lived in Los Angeles, said he often saw actors working at McDonald’s while waiting for their next big role, and that he himself took “regular jobs” to earn extra money in the meantime. Ta.
“I worked at a place called I Smashed It, where if you dropped your iPhone or cell phone and the screen broke, they would fix your screen.
“I worked there for a little bit, probably about 10 years ago. It was just to make a little bit of money.”
He elaborated on the various jobs he has done over the years and continued: “I’ve worked in recruitment. I worked for Ted Baker. I worked in markets when I was younger, and I’ve worked in various clothing stores and things like that. And of course, in between jobs. You have to do that too.”