Stephen Graham told Soccer AM that acting alongside Sue Johnston was like playing with Steven Gerrard!
Graham in awe of Royle Family actress
Acting alongside Sue Johnston is like playing with Steven Gerrard, that's according to Stephen Graham!
The Boardwalk Empire actor has starred alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt.
But he says working with fellow Liverpool fan Johnston on Christmas TV comedy Lapland was the best Christmas gift he could ever hope to receive.
"She's just such a lovely woman and a fantastic actress and I imagine that's what it's like to play footy with Stevie G.
"She's got time for everyone, she's very gracious, she knows loads about Liverpool, she's mates with Kenny Dalglish and she's a fantastic actress and an amazing woman."
Lapland
The Kirby-born star plays Johnston's son in the BBC One show which follows a family as they head off to the home on Santa Claus to celebrate the festive season.
Graham admitted he became so close to the former Royle Family actress that he even started to call her 'ma'!
But despite getting on famously with Johnston and the rest of the cast, the 38-year-old revealed it wasn't all smooth sailing in Lapland.
""We went there and there was no snow. The first time in 25 years there was no snow! We got a snow machine in from Oslo... it took three days!"
And that wasn't all...
"I did nearly break one of the kids' legs!" he added. "It was an accident. I tackled him to the floor and he tore his cruciate ligament.
"He's a lovely lad as well - he's the karate champion of Great Britain. He's a talented young lad."
Reds
Despite spending most of his time on film sets across the world, the lifelong Red still finds plenty of time to follow the Merseysiders.
And he says he's been encouraged by the start they've made to the season under the stewardship of Kenny Dalglish and says Champions League qualification is realistic target.
"Slowly but surely I think he's doing really well," he said.
"Let's face it he's a God. He's such an icon and such a Liverpool fanatic himself. He just brings freshness to the team and everyone looks like they're enjoying themselves playing, which must be important."
He continued: "I'm going to put my neck on the line and say we're going to get top four."
