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Stephen Graham in Line of Duty (Image: BBC/World Productions Ltd/Aidan Monaghan)
Top British actor Stephen Graham, famed for his roles in Line Of Duty and Boiling Point, lost his temper at a recent football match where he was seen delivering a foul-mouthed tirade at a non-league referee.
At the game located in Barrow Town, Leicestershire, the actor reportedly lashed out with a barrage of abuse when the match didn't go as hoped.
Incensed, Graham targeted the match official David Kennedy, reportedly calling him a "f***ing Tellytubby" amongst other crass insults such as "fat useless t**t" and questioning whether Kennedy was bullied at school.
The vitriolic outbreak on December 14 didn't stop there; Graham was also heard accusing Kennedy of being on a "power trip", continuing to berate him with "useless t**t" and making derogatory comments about his appearance and alluding to a lewd act, the Sun reports tonight.
Stephen Graham in a scene from series 5 of Line of Duty (Image: BBC/World Productions)
The situation escalated as Kennedy called a halt to the game, with an insistent stance not to continue until Graham retreated from the sidelines.
The confrontation and subsequent pause in play reportedly lasted eight minutes, leading to an investigation now launched by the FA into Graham's conduct.
As it turns out, Graham's attendance was due to his nephew playing for Barrow Town and he was there with his 17-year-old son Alfie, who witnessed the embarrassing spectacle and his dad's explosive behaviour.
A source revealed to The Sun: "His behaviour was absolutely disgusting. The referee was so horrified, along with everyone else.
"He, rightly, refused to continue with the match until Graham left.
"Eventually he agreed to go and sit in the bar so the game could continue."
Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar and Stephen Graham star in series 5 of Line of Duty (Image: PA)
And the paper quotes a source said to be close to the actor, who claimed he was “mortified” by his own behaviour and has “apologised profusely” to the referee.
Graham, who resides with his family in Ibstock, Leicester, is reported to have later apologised to the referee for his actions.
Initially, he wanted to apologise after the game, but was instructed to go home instead and subsequently contacted the referee personally to express his regret, reports the Mirror.
The Leicestershire and Rutland County FA are currently investigating the incident, which could result in a ban from the FA for Graham, barring him from attending future matches.
Graham is one of the UK's top actors (Image: PA)
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Graham's tirade comes amidst a significant increase in abuse towards referees, prompting the FA to launch its "Enough Is Enough" campaign last year to eradicate discriminatory behaviour.
The FA disclosed to the publication that it was backing the local body in its investigation.
A spokesman stated: "We strongly condemn any abusive or unacceptable behaviour aimed toward our match officials, on or off the pitch.
"We are aware of this incident and supporting Leicestershire and Rutland County FA who are carrying out a full investigation."
Graham is an OBE and one of the UK's top acting talents and has won a Screen Actors Guild Award, nominations for five British Academy Television Awards and two British Academy Film Awards.
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