Former child actor John Alford, known for his roles in Grange Hill and London’s Burning, reportedly placed a successful bet on a horse shortly before his death in prison. Alford, aged 54, had been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for multiple counts of sexual offenses involving minors.

According to a close friend, Alford requested his sister to place a bet on a horse named Johnny Jury at the Cheltenham Festival, which ended up winning at odds of 20/1. Despite the horse’s victory, Alford was discovered unresponsive before the race results were known.

Alford, who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s, faced a decline in his career leading to his eventual imprisonment in January. His death is under investigation, with a post-mortem examination and toxicology tests planned to determine the cause.

The Prison Service confirmed Alford’s death on March 13, 2026, stating that an investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman would follow, as is standard procedure for all deaths in custody. Alford’s acting journey began at Anna Scher’s stage school, eventually landing roles in Grange Hill and London’s Burning.

In a separate incident, Alford was convicted of sexually assaulting two teenage girls, aged 14 and 15. The court heard that the assaults occurred while the victims were intoxicated at the home of a third girl acquainted with Alford. Following a report to the authorities, Alford was arrested and later denied the accusations made against him.

Both victims provided impact statements during the court proceedings, contributing to Alford’s conviction. The actor’s controversial past has garnered attention, with ongoing scrutiny surrounding his life and career.

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