John Alford was born as John Shannon 30 October, 1971 in Glasgow. He is a Scottish actor and singer who is best known for playing firefighter Billy Ray in London's Burning from 1993 to 1998.
During the 1990s, Alford launched a short-lived singing career and released covers of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "Blue Moon"/"Only You", which reached the UK Top 20. Alford was dismissed from London's Burning after being caught supplying cannabis and cocaine to an undercover News of the World reporter, for which he was sentenced to nine months imprisonment.
His other work includes appearances in Grange Hill, Now and Then, The Bill, Casualty, Mike Bassett: England Manager, The Chief and Black Cab.