The cause of death of John Alford has been disclosed. The actor, convicted of four counts of sexual activity with a child, as well as two counts relating to a second female of sexual assault and assault by penetration, was discovered dead in his prison cell in March at the age of 54.
The former television personality, who stood trial under his real name of John Shannon, rose to prominence on Grange Hill before gaining wider recognition for his part in London's Burning. However, his acting career faded more than 25 years ago, and he went on to work as a roofer, scaffolder and taxi driver.
Inquest Findings
Following the opening of an inquest, Alford's cause of death has now been officially recorded as ischaemic heart disease, indicating that he suffered either a heart attack, a fatal arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death.
Prison Sentence and Denial
Just weeks into an eight-and-a-half year sentence for child sex offences, the former actor was found lifeless in his bed at HMP Bure in Norfolk — a category C prison housing male sex offenders. From the moment of his arrest in 2022, the Grange Hill star flatly denied assaulting two teenage girls at a sleepover that same year. During his police interview, Alford furiously rejected the allegations, insisting: "None of this makes sense. It's a set-up. I didn't rape anyone. I am not a nonce. This is f****** scandalous."
In the courtroom, he declared he would maintain his denial 'until the day I die'. Few could have anticipated just how near that day truly was.
Conviction and Sentencing
Prosecuted under his real name John Shannon, he was found guilty last September on four charges of sexual activity with a child, plus two additional counts involving a second female victim - sexual assault and assault by penetration. The court was told he supplied his young victims with alcohol before taking the 14-year-old's virginity in a garden and toilet, despite her repeatedly saying no. He subsequently molested the 15 year old against her wishes while she was drifting off to sleep.
His account was that he'd been outdoors when the then 14 year old was suddenly 'sitting on my lap with her arms around me, trying to kiss me. I recoiled, I stood up... I literally had to prise her off'. Tearful while giving his testimony, he informed the jury he 'never touched either of them girls', insisting there was 'no DNA' evidence and implying he'd fallen victim to a blackmail scheme. He recounted a telephone call he purportedly received on 10 April 2022, from 'an Irish-sounding traveller-type voice'.
However, after hearing the distressing evidence and testimony from his victims - and discovering no trace of any such phone call - the jury rejected his version of events. When the guilty verdicts were read out, he dropped his head into his hands, protesting: "Wrong, I didn't do this!" He received a custodial sentence in January.
