John Alford, London’s Burning Star, Dies in Prison

John Alford, known for his roles in London’s Burning and Grange Hill, has died in prison weeks after being convicted of sexually assaulting two underage girls. He was 54 years old.

Alford was found unresponsive in his cell at HMP Bure, a Category C prison in Norfolk, on Friday, March 13, 2026, during morning checks according to reports.

Conviction and Sentencing

A jury at St Albans Crown Court found Alford, who appeared in court under his real name, John Shannon, guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old girl during a sleepover at a friend’s home over the Easter holidays as reported by the Manchester Evening News. Following a week-long trial and over 13 hours of deliberation, Alford reacted to the verdict by shouting, “Wrong, I didn’t do this” from the dock .

Early Career

Alford began his acting career in the 1980s with the role of Robbie Wright in the BBC school drama Grange Hill. He later gained prominence portraying Fireman Billy Ray in London’s Burning throughout the 1990s . The reveal attracted audiences of 18 million on Sundays and became ITV’s longest-running drama after Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Later Years and Legal Issues

The success of London’s Burning allowed Alford to pursue a brief music career, achieving three Top 30 chart entries and an appearance on Top Of The Pops. Though, his record label terminated his contract in 1997. Two years later, in 1999, Alford was dismissed from London’s Burning following a conviction for supplying cocaine, and cannabis.

A source told The Sun that Alford “didn’t wake up in the morning” and was found in his bed, initially thought to be asleep .