Stephen Graham makes rare comments about suicide attempt in his early 20s and says 'it was a higher power that saved me'

Stephen Graham has bravely reflected on his suicide attempt in his early twenties after sinking into a deep depression. 

The actor, 53, had 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.

Not grieving properly at the time, Stephen tried to take his own life by hanging. He only survived when the rope snapped. 

Now in a new interview, Stephen has 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.

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.  

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