LONDON’S Burning star John Alford has been found dead in jail — just weeks after he was caged for sexually abusing two young girls.
Alford, 54, made his mark on BBC school drama Grange Hill in the 1980s and found fame as fireman Billy Ray in London’s Burning in the 1990s before his fall from grace and final end.
Paedophile TV star John Alford has been found dead in jailCredit: PA
Alford found fame as fireman Billy Ray in London’s Burning in the 1990sCredit: ITV
Alford – pictured here leaving jail in 1999 – had been caged for sexually abusing two young girlsCredit: PA:Press Association
He had hit the skids in 1999 when he was locked up for dealing drugs and was just weeks into an 8½ year sentence for his assaults on the girls when his body was found.
He was unresponsive on his bed when staff opened his cell door on Friday at Category C HMP Bure near Norwich and medics were called.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: “He didn’t wake up in the morning.
“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.”
Glasgow-born Alford got his big break after training at The Anna Scher Theatre stage school in North London alongside EastEnders stars Sid Owen and Patsy Palmer.
He landed the role of rebel Robbie Wright on BBC’s Grange Hill when he was 13, starring alongside Simone Hyams and George Christopher.
Up to eight million watched the show and Alford was part of the cast involved in its anti-drugs campaign, singing with others in its widely-played single “Just Say No”.
