John Alford, who was known for his role as Fireman Billy Ray in London’s Burning and Grange Hill, has died in prison weeks after being jailed for sexually assaulting two underage girls
Joshua Whorms and Kirstie McCrum
21:39, 14 Mar 2026Updated 21:44, 14 Mar 2026
(Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
John Alford, the disgraced star of London’s Burning, has been discovered dead in prison just weeks after being incarcerated for sexually abusing two underage girls.
Alford was found lifeless on his bed on Friday (March 13) when staff at Category C HMP Bure in Norfolk opened his cell door. Prior to his death, the 54 year old had been convicted of sexually assaulting a 14 year old girl and a 15 year old girl during a sleepover at a friend’s house over the Easter holidays.
After a week-long trial and more than 13 hours of deliberation, a jury at St Albans Crown Court found Alford guilty on all counts. Upon hearing the guilty verdicts, Alford, who was charged under his real name John Shannon, buried his face in his hands and shouted “wrong, I didn’t do this” from the dock, reports the Daily Star.
Alford gained fame in the 1980s for his role in the BBC school drama Grange Hill, before going on to play Fireman Billy Ray in London’s Burning in the 1990s.
(Image: BBC)
A source speaking to The Sun provided further details about the state in which Alford was found, stating: “He didn’t wake up in the morning.”
The source added: “He was in his bed and they thought he was just asleep. But when they tried to wake him there was no response and they realised he was dead.”
Alford secured the part of rebel Robbie Wright on BBC’s Grange Hill when he was just 13 years old.
During his stint in the 1980s BBC programme, Alford participated in the cast’s anti-drugs initiative. Paradoxically, towards the conclusion of his Grange Hill tenure, Alford confessed to consuming as many as 18 bottles of beer and nine spirit measures nightly.
Alford subsequently captured a fresh audience following his role in London’s Burning as firefighter Ray between 1993 and 1998. The programme attracted audiences of 18 million on Sundays and became ITV’s longest-running drama after Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
The success of London’s Burning allowed Alford to pursue his brief music career, with the actor securing three Top 30 chart entries and an appearance on Top Of The Pops.
His record label terminated Alford’s contract in 1997 before his fourth single could reach the shops. Two years subsequently, Alford was dismissed from London’s Burning following his conviction for supplying cocaine and cannabis.
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