[5][6] In 1980, he starred in the drama film Babylon (directed by Franco Rosso), as Blue, a disenfranchised youth who becomes a deejay on a South London reggae soundsystem.

Forde can be heard presenting the radio documentaries Behind The Smile: The Real Life of Bob Marley and Island Rock to mark the 40th anniversary of Jamaican independence.

The band continued to feature in the top 20 on the British charts with the album Distant Thunder, and the tracks "On and On", "Next to You" and "Shine".

[citation needed] In September 2009, Forde appeared with Dizzee Rascal performing "Can't Tek No More" from the latter's album Tongue n' Cheek on the BBC Two show Later... with Jools Holland.

Forde was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to the arts.