Stephen Graham has opened up about his mixed-race heritage. The Adolescence star, 51, previously shared he is "proud to be a mixed-race working-class kid from a block of flats" in a candid admission. The actor has also been vocal about the horrendous racial abuse he suffered but credited one man for helping him overcome the trauma. Mike Fazakerley, is the stepfather of the Adolescence star, who Graham adores - and affectionately calls "pops". Fazakerley has broken his silence on the actor's childhood and reflected on their relationship.

In a recent interview he explained that Graham was just a small boy who was confused about why he was being bullied by white boys over his West Indian background. Graham's biological grandfather was part of the Windrush generation who moved to the UK in the Sixties from Jamaica, but died before the actor was born. His mother Mary and biological father Stephen Kelly separated when he was young, and while he has a relationship with his dad, the actor had been in search of a father figure in his family home.

Reflecting on his success with the Netflix hit where he plays the father of a 13-year-old boy who murdered a girl from his school, Fazakerley said: "I am highly proud of what he's achieved in his career and highly proud of what he's doing now with Adolescence.

"I watch all his work and I've watched Adolescence. Stephen is brilliant, he is a true talent. Unquestionably one of this country's finest."

Mike married Stephen's mum Mary in 1989 when he was just ten - and was with her until her death in 2022.

Speaking from the Liverpool home he shared with Mary, Mike contined to the Daily Mail: "It's just sad that his mum isn't here to wallow in Stephen's glory, that's the only downside."

Addressing Graham's background, he added: "Regarding his heritage, we know who we are, we've always known who we are, and it doesn't impact on our lives."

While his stepfather was born in Africa and Graham's paternal grandfather was from Jamaica, Graham says his advice and guidance helped him understand his background.

Speaking on BBC Desert Island Discs in 2019 he said: "There were times growing up where I would be slightly unsure of where I fitted in. Sometimes I'd be accepted by my white cousins and then my black cousins wouldn't really, you know what I mean. So it was kind of like where do I belong?

"He helped me see who I am and what I am is good enough. He helped me find my own way and I got that sense of self in many respects from my mother, finding your own way."