Stephen Graham is one of the UK’s most celebrated actors, recently starring in groundbreaking Netflix drama Adolescence.

The four-part one-take drama lifted the lid on how young boys can be radicalised into misogynists online and became a talking point among parents and politicians alike.

The four episodes follow the psychological fallout after a 13-year-old boy, Jamie, murders a girl, Katie, from his class at school.

Stephen has picked up a number of awards for his performance – including three Primetime Emmys.

His most latest role is as Bruce Springsteen’s father Douglas in new biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.

The film follows the making of Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska, and received a rave review from Metro’s Senior Film & Entertainment Reporter Tori Brazier.

But did you know he once starred in Coronation Street?

Who did Stephen Graham play in Coronation Street?

One of his earliest roles was in CITV soap Children’s Ward in 1990, and he clearly stayed on producers Granada Television’s radar.

After parts in Heartbeat, Where The Heart Is and The Bill, he was brought into Weatherfield for a 6 episode Corrie guest role.

Stephen played drug dealer Lee Sankey between June and September 1999.

His first appearance was a run in with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), who was trying to sell tobacco in a pub. Lee warned that he was treading on his patch, but then the two men recognised one another from spending time inside.

Lee agreed to buy his tobacco on the cheap, and continued to pay regular visits to the Street. When Steve’s dad Jim (Charles Lawson) found out what was happening, he ordered his son to stop or he could end up behind bars again.

Weeks later, Steve was sent on a mission to Amsterdam to smuggle in something other than tobacco.

Jim was furious, and argued with Lee. Little did he realise, he was actually bringing home a dog, Polly.

When Lee was caught dealing, he handed his patch over to the wicked Jez Quigley (Lee Boardman).

Stephen has another Corrie connection

Last month, George Shuttleworth actor Tony Maudsley took to Instagram to share a collage of photos of himself, Stephen and Heartbeat actress Tricia Penrose.

‘3 kids from Kirkby, all at Ruffwood School at the same time!,’ he wrote.

‘This is true! When Stephen was in 1st year, Tricia was in 3rd year and I was in 5th year! My guess is the year we were all there together was 1983/84.’

Mary Taylor star Patti Clare commented: ‘Amazing! Something in the water?’

What have the fans said?

Taking to X, one fan noticed him pop up in an episode of Classic Coronation Street.

‘Was that Stephen Graham in an old episode of Coronation Street on ITV3?’ they wrote.

Another added: ‘Just watched Classic Coronation Street and Stephen Graham is in it!!!! So funny to see him 22 years ago!!!’