Line of Duty star Stephen Graham reveals he heard his gran’s voice as he tried to take his own life
LINE of Duty star Stephen Graham attempted to hang himself while suffering a breakdown - but "thankfully" the rope snapped.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, the emotional actor said that during his ordeal, he "heard" his beloved Nana's voice shouting "Stephen".
Stephen, 46, credited his future wife Hannah Walters for entering his life after the failed suicide attempt.
The This Is England star also stressed that life was "worth living" despite experiencing a period of despair in his early 20s.
Stephen has also recently starred in the new Martin Scorsese crime film The Irishman alongside his acting hero Robert De Niro.
Born in Kirkby, just outside Liverpool in 1973, he discovered acting at school, where a starring role in a production of Treasure Island at the age of 10 was a turning point.
I heard my Nana's voice. She shouted 'Stephen'.
Actor Stephen Graham
After leaving school, Stephen won a place to study drama in London, but left after a year.
He recalled those early years in the capital as a time marked by despair, saying, "I had a breakdown. Going to that big London to do it on your own.
"Then I went back home. They (his parents) were trying to see what was happening with me.
"I'll never forget the tears coming down both their faces.
"Then the next day I tried to hang myself. It was very calculated.
"I heard my Nana's voice."
"She shouted 'Stephen' and I thought I'd gone.
"I just came to, opened my eyes and the rope had snapped. Thankfully."
NO TIME TO GRIEVE
The reports that around that time, he'd been rocked by the recent death of his beloved grandma, and his mum gave birth to a stillborn baby.
He said: "I'd been through these few traumatic things and never really grieved."
Stephen tried to hide the marks of his hanging attempt with high-collar jumpers before the truth of his suicide bid came out.
"I had to put on a high neck jumper. My mum kind of saw it. Then everything came out. Life was worth living thankfully," he added.
LOVED ONES RALLY
The star said that in the aftermath of his attempt, his friends and family rallied round.
Following that traumatic low point, the versatile star of Boardwalk Empire and Line Of Duty was supported by his future wife Hannah Walters.
The actor said they initially moved in together in south London after what was technically their first date.
The pair had met at drama school, and they now live in Leicestershire.
Speaking tearfully on the Radio Four show, he also credited the help of his future wife for helping him get through his breakdown.
He said: "This is kind of where Hannah came into my life properly.
"She knew what had happened. She was always in close contact with my mum."
Stephen said that after a long period of "just talking", they had not been on a proper date, something he eventually fixed when she was due to move to Spain.
He recalled: "We were waiting at New Cross train station and I said to her 'please don't go to Spain. I love you'.
"She went, 'I've been waiting for five years for you to say that'. The next day we moved in together."
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
- Movember,
The mixed-race actor said he suffered racist abuse on the streets of Liverpool, which his mother quickly put a stop to.
Stephen also revealed he was unsure of his place in the world as a mixed-race child.
He added: "I'm mixed-race and that was kind of frowned up in those days.
"There were times growing up when I was slightly unsure where I fitted in.
"That n-word popped up when I was younger."
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In 2006, his performance as Combo the skinhead in This is England, directed by Shane Meadows, won widespread critical acclaim.
More recently, he has played Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire, and the undercover policeman Corbett in the most recent series of Line of Duty.
The full interview with Graham can be heard on .
- IF you are having suicidal thoughts, suffering from anxiety or depression or just want to talk, call The Samaritans on 116 123.