Actor John Alford has died.
Actor John Alford was convicted of sexual crimes against children. Photo from August 2025. PDO
British actress John Alford has died at the age of 54, reported BBC and Mirror.
Alford died in prison on Friday, March 13. In January, Alford received an eight and a half year prison sentence for sexual crimes against children. Alford was found guilty of sexually abusing two teenage girls aged 14 and 15.
A prison spokesperson has confirmed the death to the media. Alford was found dead at HMP Bure Prison in Norfolk. The authorities are investigating the death as they always do with deaths in prison, the spokesman says. So far, no more detailed information has been given about the cause of Alford’s death.
Alford, real name John Shannonwas accused before the court in September of last year. He was sentenced for a total of six sexual crimes, four of which were against a younger girl and two against an older one. Alford pleaded not guilty to the crimes. According to the Mirror, Alford was a family acquaintance of the girls.
John Alford was fired from the popular series due to his drug conviction. Photo from 1998. PDO
Born in Glasgow in 1971, Alford became known in Britain for his roles in children’s films Grange Hill -television series in the 1980s and from the drama series London’s Burning in the 1990s.
Alford rose to popularity with his latter role and went on to pursue a music career as well. In 1997, Alford was fired London’s Burning -series after trying to sell cocaine and cannabis to an undercover reporter. Alford was sentenced to nine months in prison at the time.
Alford did occasional acting roles in the 2000s, for example in television series Ten club and Casualty. In addition to his acting work, Alford worked as a roofing contractor, scaffolder and taxi driver.