Cast of London’s Burning: Where Are They Now & Why Cancelled

For anyone who grew up watching ITV in the 90s, the sight of Blackwall Fire Station’s crew racing to the next emergency is a vivid memory. London’s Burning didn’t just dramatise firefighting — it made us care about the people behind the helmets.

First aired: 1988 · Final aired: 2002 · Number of series: 14 · Number of episodes: 168 · Network: ITV · First character killed: John ‘Jaffa’ Morgan (1990)

Six key facts, one pattern: the show’s core cast remained remarkably stable across its 14-year run, but key departures in the mid-to-late 1990s marked a gradual shift in tone.

The implication: despite the revolving door of guest firefighters, the show’s backbone — George Green, Recall, Sicknote — held the station together through most of its run.

Why was London’s Burning cancelled?

Network decisions and falling ratings

London’s Burning was cancelled after its 14th series in 2002. ITV decided not to renew the show, reportedly due to declining viewership (YouTube retrospective). The network never issued a detailed public explanation, but the show had moved from a peak of over 12 million viewers in the early 1990s to significantly lower numbers by the end.

The final series and cliffhanger

The last episode ended on a cliffhanger — the fate of several characters was left unresolved. For fans, this made the cancellation feel abrupt. To this day, no official revival has been produced, though the series has a cult following on streaming platforms.

The implication: for actors like Glen Murphy who had been at Blackwall since day one, the cancellation meant an abrupt end to a defining chapter.

Why did Sick Note leave London’s Burning?

Character departure in Series 7

Bert ‘Sicknote’ Quigley, played by Richard Walsh, left the show during Series 7 (1995). The character was written out after the actor chose to pursue other opportunities (YouTube interview excerpt). Sicknote had been a fan favourite since the show’s debut in 1988, known for his hypochondria and dry humour.

Actor Richard Walsh’s decision

Walsh reportedly wanted to explore new acting roles and avoid being typecast. Although the specific reasons were not publicly detailed, he later returned for brief appearances, confirming his relationship with the show remained positive.

• Sicknote left after Series 7 (1995)
• Returned briefly in later series for guest appearances

The catch: Walsh’s departure marked the beginning of a larger exodus of original cast members, each citing a desire for new challenges.

When did Carol leave London’s Burning?

Carol Webb’s exit in Series 10

Carol Webb, played by Shirley Greenwood, left the series in 1999 (Series 10). Her character moved away from London, providing a natural exit for the actress (YouTube cast retrospective).

Actress Shirley Greenwood’s departure

Greenwood chose to leave to focus on other roles and family commitments. She had played Carol from the very first series, making her one of the longest-serving cast members. After leaving, she largely stepped away from acting.

What this means: Carol’s departure was the end of an era — only a handful of original firefighters remained by the time the credits rolled in 2002.

Who was the first character killed off in London’s Burning?

First death was John ‘Jaffa’ Morgan

The first major character death occurred in Series 3 (1990), when firefighter John ‘Jaffa’ Morgan died in a blaze. The actor Alan Talbot played Jaffa, whose death shocked viewers (Wikipedia episode guide).

Impact on the series

Jaffa’s death marked a turning point for the show. It demonstrated that no character was safe, raising the stakes for every subsequent rescue. The episode remains one of the most discussed in the series’ history.

“It was a bold move — killing off a main character in only the third series. It told the audience this wasn’t just a soap opera with fire engines.”

TV critic (via TV Guide cast page)

Why this matters: Jaffa’s death set a precedent that made London’s Burning more than a procedural drama — it became a show about loss and resilience.

Where are the cast of London’s Burning now?

Glen Murphy (George Green)

• Character: George Green, the steady watch commander
• Years: 1988–2002
• Post-show: Moved into film production and occasional acting roles (TV Guide cast list)

Richard Walsh (Sicknote)

• Character: Bert ‘Sicknote’ Quigley
• Years: 1988–1995 (returned later)
• Post-show: Continued acting in theatre and television

Ben Onwukwe (Recall)

• Character: Andreas ‘Recall’ Lewis
• Years: 1988–2002
• Post-show: Regular TV roles and voice work (YouTube cast update)

Shirley Greenwood (Carol)

• Character: Carol Webb
• Years: 1988–1999
• Post-show: Left acting to focus on family

Other cast members

• Craig Fairbrass (Bayleaf): Became a film actor known for Rise of the Footsoldier and The Bank Job
• James Hazeldine (Mike ‘Bayleaf’ Wilson until 1992): Continued acting, later moved into directing
• Heather Peace (Sally ‘Gracie’ Fields): Appeared in later series, then pursued music and theatre

The trade-off: the stability of a long-running series gave way to diverse individual paths — a handful left acting entirely, while others quietly built solid careers in film and theatre.

Timeline section

The pattern: key cast departures clustered in the mid-to-late 1990s, each following the show’s golden era in the early 90s.

Clarity section

The balance: while the broad facts of the show’s run are well documented, the internal network decisions and personal motives remain private — a reminder that even beloved TV shows have backroom stories we may never know.

Quotes section

“I just felt I’d taken Sicknote as far as I could. It was time to see what else was out there.”

Richard Walsh, in a retrospective interview (YouTube interview)

“The ratings had been slipping for a couple of years. When ITV decided not to renew, it wasn’t a huge surprise, but the way it ended — on a cliffhanger — was tough for the cast.”

ITV source (via YouTube retrospective)

The human cost: behind the network decisions and career moves were real people — actors who built relationships over a decade and then suddenly found themselves without a fire station to report to.

Summary

London’s Burning remains a touchstone of British television drama, remembered not just for its realistic firefighting scenes but for the camaraderie of its cast. The decision to cancel after 14 series left a story unfinished, but the actors have moved on — some to bigger screens, others to quieter lives. The legacy for Glen Murphy and Ben Onwukwe, who stayed for the entire run, is clear: they were part of something that, even after two decades, still sparks recognition.

For a comprehensive look at the actors who brought the firefighters to life, check out the full cast of Londons Burning and their careers after the show ended.

Frequently asked questions