Stephen Graham, is one of the UK's top actors, and within the industry for his warm and generous spirit. Many emerging stars, including fellow Liverpudlian Jodie Comer, view him as a mentor, with Stephen having supported her early in her career prior to her breakout role in Killing Eve.

The actor, 51, first gained recognition in 2006 for his portrayal of the intimidating character Combo in Shane Meadows' hard-hitting British drama This Is England. Since then, he has continued to captivate audiences with notable roles, most recently in the Netflix drama Adolescence.

Over time, Stephen has formed close friendships with many of his co-stars, including Thomas Turgoose.

Stephen and Thomas initially met on the set of This Is England, where Thomas was just 13 and playing the lead role of Shaun Fields, a young lad who gets mixed up with a group of skinheads, including the violent and racist Combo. The duo shared numerous scenes together, with Shaun initially looking up to Combo before understanding the full extent of his terrifying nature.

However, shortly after Thomas Turgoose finished filming This Is England, his mother Sharon died of cancer. Speaking to the Private Parts podcast, Thomas revealed: "My mum passed away from lung cancer after I finished filming This Is England. She never got to see the finished film," and added that "Shane Meadows dedicated the film to my mum. Stephen Graham promised my mum he'd look out for me. Everyone involved in This is England are family to me," reports the Mirror.