John Alford's cause of death has been revealed more than three months after the disgraced actor, known for his roles in Grange Hill and London's Burning, was found dead in his prison cell. The 54-year-old, who was convicted of four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of sexual assault and assault by penetration, died in March 2026 at HMP Woodhill.
Inquest Findings
An inquest opening has now publicly listed his cause of death as ischaemic heart disease. This condition can lead to a heart attack, fatal arrhythmia, or sudden cardiac death. Alford, whose real name was John Shannon, had been serving a prison sentence for his crimes.
Career and Later Life
Alford found fame on the children's television series Grange Hill before becoming widely known for his role in the firefighter drama London's Burning. However, his television career declined over 25 years ago, and he subsequently worked as a roofer, scaffolder, and taxi driver.
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