Stephen Graham dedicated his MOBO Award to his beloved stepfather as he emotionally accepted another gong for Adolescence on Thursday night.
The actor was joined by his family at Manchester's Co-op Live as he scooped the Best Performance in a TV/Film award.
His stepfather Mike Fazakerley and his half brother Nathan Fazakerley made a rare public appearance to support Stephen on his big night.
Stephen was also supported by his son Alfie, 19, whom he shares with wife Hannah Walters. They also have a daughter named Gracie, 21.
The actor said the win 'means the world' to him as he dedicated his award to his stepfather, who looked on proudly in the crowd.
He said: 'This recognition for me means the world. I'd like to give love and respect for my fellow nominees. This is just as much theirs as it is mine.
'Can we give them all a massive round of applause? On a personal level, my friends and family - you know who you are - thank you for helping me do something I can't do on my own.'
Stephen Graham dedicated his MOBO Award to his beloved stepfather as he emotionally accepted another gong for Adolescence on Thursday night
His stepfather Mike Fazakerley and his half brother Nathan Fazakerley made a rare public appearance to support Stephen on his big night, alongside his son Alfie (pictured L-R)
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail when Adolescence streamed to record numbers back in March, Mike gushed about his close relationship with Stephen.
Mike married Stephen's mum Mary in 1989 when he was just ten - and was with her until her death in 2022.
Mary and the actor's biological dad Stephen Kelly separated when he was young and whilst he still has a good relationship with his dad, he formed a close bond with Mike when he moved into the family home.
Speaking from the Liverpool home he shared with Mary, Mike told the Daily Mail earlier this year: '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, who worked as a mechanic before training as a paediatric nurse, added poignantly of his late wife: 'It's just sad that his mum isn't here to wallow in Stephen's glory, that's the only downside.'
While his stepfather was born in Africa and Graham's paternal grandfather was from Jamaica, Stephen has said that it was Mike's advice and guidance that 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?
The award-winning actor was joined by his family at Manchester's Co-op Live as he scooped the Best Performance in a TV/Film award
The actor said the win 'means the world' to him as he dedicated his award to his stepfather, who looked on proudly in the crowd
'On a personal level, my friends and family - you know who you are - thank you for helping me do something I can't do on my own', he said
Stephen has previously spoken about his close bond with his stepfather Mike Fazakerley (Stephen and Mike are pictured with Graham's mother Mary and his half-brother Nathan)
'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.'
Stephen told Lauren Laverne: 'Pops is mixed race so that is where I learnt all the history of my culture and where I am from and what I am about.
In another interview earlier this year Stephen wept as he showered praise on Mike, saying: 'To help you achieve your goal, or to believe in the dream you have. It takes that one person and my [step] dad was that person…And my mum.'
Adolescence has averaged around 45million views per month and become a must-watch for parents and teenagers around the world.
The series, which centres around schoolboy Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), follows his story when he is accused of murdering a female classmate after seeing extreme and misogynistic content online.




