Stephen Graham is overcome with emotion as he's reunited with his 'inspirational' first ever director

Stephen Graham wiped away tears after receiving a message from his first director who he has described as an 'inspiration' to his acting career.The actor, 53, admitted he was overcome with emotion after receiving the surprise video from Jerry Pantomime on the Capital Breakfast radio show.Radio host Jordan North told Stephen he had a 'special letter from someone who has been there since day one', and watched his whole career blossom. Recalling his experience of working with Stephen as a child on a play in Liverpool, Jerry said: 'That play that we did at the Everyman theatre called Easy and my biggest memory of it, my most cherished memory of it is directing you...'And realising I wasn't just directing a younger person who wanted to act, I was directing an actor, an actual actor, because all I had to do was push you a little bit and you found your way around a script and around the stage like a pro.' Stephen Graham wiped away tears after receiving a message from his first director who he has described as an 'inspiration' to his acting career The actor, 53, admitted he was overcome with emotional after receiving the surprise video from Jerry Pantomime on the Capital Breakfast radio showPraising his success in the industry, Jerry said: 'I'm so glad that everything has worked out for you in the way that it has, and Adolescence is a work of genius kid, over the moon and it means the world that you cited me as an inspiration, still can't get over it, but god I'm good, take care kid, love you.'Looking visibly emotional after listening to the message, Stephen fought back tears as he told the presenters 'you've really got me there'.Stephen said: 'Oh wow, you don't have to be a father to be an inspiration to someone, it's being present, it's being there and Jerry is a beautiful man and a wonderful man and that show Easy was about a young boy who got Aids at a party back in the day when it was relevant and the stigma that was attached to.'Thank you that was really beautiful, I adored Jerry and he's a wonderful man, he was a wonderful director, that's really sweet, really touching.'Co-host Chris Stark asked him: 'Is that a nice surprise?'Stephen replied: 'It was, I think about Jerry often, I was a kid with a dream, and now I'm fortunate and blessed to be living that dream, and there's no such thing as 'I' it's a 'we' thing, there's a lot of people involved'.His radio appearance comes after he bravely reflected on his suicide attempt in his early twenties after sinking into a deep depression.Stephen left his hometown of Kirkby to attend drama school in London and the move followed several family tragedies including his mother having a miscarriage and his beloved grandmother passing away. Looking visibly emotional after listening to the message, Stephen fought back tears as he told the presenters 'you've really got me there' Stephen pictured as a child actor during the time he met JerryNot grieving properly at the time, Stephen tried to take his own life by hanging. He only survived when the rope snapped. In a recent interview, Stephen said he believes a 'higher power saved me'. Initially hesitant to talk to The Times about the dark period in his life, Stephen then declared: 'f**k it, it's important.' He said: 'It was a higher power that saved me, it was something else. I was a young man who was quite lost. I didn't quite understand it myself and there was a lot of build-up to that particular situation.'I'd left home, my mum had had a miscarriage three years before, my nana had passed away. There was a lot of things that I didn't really let out.' Stephen previously said he heard his late grandmother's voice shout 'Stephen' during his suicide attempt and it made him think he had passed on. However once opening his eyes, he realised the rope snapped.He tried to hide his attempt from his family by wearing a high neck jumper, but when his mother noticed the marks on his neck, Stephen broke down and opened up to his parents. Stephen said his family and counselling in the aftermath were what got him through and he now swears by daily meditation, reiki and exercise. His radio appearance comes after he bravely reflected on his suicide attempt in his early twenties after sinking into a deep depression (pictured with his wife Hannah Walters He added: 'It was a difficult time but I've come through that. I have solid foundations and a strong sense of self now.' Stephen's wife Hannah Walters, who was also studying at the same drama school, helped him too. Speaking on a 2019 episode of Desert Island Discs, he revealed that Hannah had been by his side following his suicide attempt. He recalled: '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.' While he hadn't initially realised how much he cared for Hannah, Stephen explained that when she announced she was moving to Spain he realised his true feelings. He shared: 'She went to Spain for a little bit and I couldn't see her, and she was going to move out there. She came back and we hadn't been on a date in these five years, six years, just talking lots. And I said "can I take you on a date?"'She went "what?" And we went to see Saving Private Ryan, had a bite to eat in Greenwich and we were at New Cross train station and I said "please don't go to Spain".'She asked "why?" and I said "Well, I love you". She said she'd been waiting five years for me to say that. And the next day we moved in together. And we've been together ever since.'It was a connection that would only deepen over the years, particularly when they worked together on This Is England in 2006. By then, their bond had strengthened, and just two years later, on June 6, 2008, they tied the knot.They went on to have two children together son Alfie, 20 and Grace, 21. For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support