Shamed star Alford dies in prison

DISGRACED actor John Alford has died in prison just weeks after being jailed for sexually abusing two girls.

- BY JAN DISLEY

The former London's Burning and Grange Hill star, real name John Shannon, was found lifeless in his cell at HMP Bure, Norfolk.

Alford, 54, was sentenced to eight and a half years after being convicted of sexually assaulting two teenage girls, aged 14 and 15.

A Prison Service spokesman confirmed that he died on Friday and said: "As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate." There were no further details of the circumstances surrounding his death.

Glasgow-born Alford embarked on his acting career in childhood, appearing on Grange Hill where he played rebelloius teen Robbie Wright.