Danan, who was born and raised in Essex, had small roles in EastEnders as a child then went to London’s Italia Conti drama school before joining Hollyoaks at 19 in 1997.

His character Sol Patrick was a tearaway and a fan favourite – and something of a heartthrob – on the soap.

Long-serving scriptwriter Richard Burke said Danan was “a Hollyoaks icon”, and perfectly captured “Sol’s vulnerability hidden beneath a spiky exterior”.

“Often misguided, never unwatchable, you loved Sol as you either knew someone like him, fancied someone like him, or feared that maybe you were him,” Burke said.

“Paul brought to life Sol’s journey from teenage tearaway to leading man with such charm and heart that no matter what trouble Sol was in, you were always on his side.”

Danan asked to leave the show after four years and Sol was last seen fleeing the village with Jess Holt.

He moved to Los Angeles, where he spent three and a half years trying to build a career.

“But I tried to party and do well, and you can’t become a Hollywood star if you are partying as well,” he told BBC Radio Bristol last year.

“I was young, I was 22, 23, and I came back very skinny with a tan but with no work. So I came back and… suddenly there was reality TV so I thought, I’ll do that and make up the money.”