Acting legend Stephen Graham made a touching vow to look after his child co-star after tragedy hit the young talent’s mother.
The Line of Duty actor, 47, is known for being one of the nation’s finest actors, but he’s also one of the nicest people in the business and he shares a powerful bond with one of his former co-stars.
Stephen first met young child star Thomas Turgoose while the pair were shooting for Shane Medaows’ classic British drama film This Is England in 2006.
Thomas was only 13-year-old when he played lead character Shaun Fields, who ended up mixing with a group of skinheads including the sociopathic racist called Combo.
(Image: TIE)
Stephen played Combo in the gritty drama and shared plenty of scenes with Thomas, who initially looked up to Stephen’s character as a hero before realising how dangerous and racist he was.
However, soon after they wrapped the film, young Thomas was struck by tragedy when his mum Sharon passed away from cancer.
In fact, This Is England was dedicated to Thomas’ mum, who didn’t get to watch her successful son shine on the big screen.
Opening up about his mum on the Jamie Laing’s Private Parts podcast this month, Thomas said: “My mum passed away from lung cancer after I finished filming This Is England. She never got to see the finished film,”
Thomas then revealed his co-star Stephen was determined to take him in and protect him following the tragic incident, saying: “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.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Thomas explained that as a young teen, he was meant to go live with his father but because he didn’t know him that well, Stephen himself and director Shane offered to take Thomas in themselves if the youngster preferred.
Thomas married his long-term girlfriend Charlotte Revell in a New Year’s Eve ceremony in 2018, and he invited many of his This Is England castmates.
He was joined by his on-screen mum Jo Hartley (Cynth), Andrew Shim (Milky), Vicky McClure (Lol), Andrew Ellis (Gadget) and Stephen.
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Tri)
Posting a snap to Instagram after the gorgeous milestone event, Thomas penned: “Oi can we talk about me marrying my best mate yesterday”.
He then posted a second wedding photo of him and his beau Charlotte along with his co-stars, which he captioned: “Family”.
Thomas went on to appear in the subsequent series This Is England ’86 in 2010, This Is England ’88 the following year and This Is England ’90 in 2015.
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However, before bagging his breakout role of Shaun in the famous film, Thomas said he could have beenn headed for a life of crime.
He admitted he was destined for prison in his earlier day, and used to shoplift in Grimbsy.
Thomas is still close with Stephen, who married his wife and fellow This Is England actor Hannah Walters in 2008.
The couple first met a drama school and grew closer on the set of This Is England, and they now have two children together – a son called Alfie, and a daughter, Grace.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
