Stephen Graham was forced to undergo surgery whilst at 10,000ft during his last flight to the US, the actor has revealed.
Liverpool-born Stephen, 51, opened up about the “scary” incident during an appearance on the Late Night with Seth Meyers show last night (Thursday, June 5).
Stephen Graham on terrifying mid-air surgery
Last night, Adolescence star Stephen revealed that he had to have a catheter operation mid-transatlantic flight.
It involved inserting a flexible tube into the bladder to drain urine. The procedure can be performed through the urethra or via a small incision in the lower abdomen.
It was a hell of an experience.
Speaking to talk show host Seth, Netflix actor Stephen explained that the operation had taken place during his last flight to the US.
“I want to check in, I assume your flight to the States was easier than the last one,” Seth said.
Smirking, Stephen, who is married to Adolescence co-star Hannah Walters, replied, saying: “Yes, this time it was.”
“You had a bad experience last time,” Seth then said. “It was a hell of an experience,” Stephen agreed.
‘It was just pure blood’
Stephen explained that being past the age of 45 makes you “need to go to the toilet more”. He then went on to say that he’d had a procedure to help combat this a few months previously. He added that “everything had been fine” before his trip.
However, during his flight to the States, Stephen found that he was unable to urinate. “I’m like, oh, this doesn’t feel right. I knew I had to, and then silly Stephen thought, oh, well, if I go back to my seat and I just keep drinking water, at some point it will happen,” he said.
Stephen then continued, explaining that he went back to his seat, had more water and after another hour or so, went back to the toilet.
“It’s not coming out. And you know when you’re pressing, you’re dying to go in that situation, and I looked down and had a little pregnant belly,” he said.
“Long story short, all of a sudden I went, but it was just pure blood,” he then revealed. “It was very scary.”
Stephen talks mid-air op
Stephen then went on to say that he was having a “slight panic attack” at all the blood. However, in a moment of “calm”, he remembered there was a doctor onboard the flight.
The star then continued, explaining that after cleaning up, he spoke to a member of the cabin crew. After clearing things with the pilot, she brought the doctor over, who also had a surgeon, Dr Haji, with him.
The doctor and surgeon got the emergency kit out, sterilised the area and sat Stephen down in a “lounge” between first class and standard class.
Luckily for Stephen, there was a catheter in the emergency box. He also explained that the flight staff were covering the area with curtains to prevent anyone from seeing.
“I drop me kecks [trousers], I get on the couch, and he performs a catheter operation there and then,” Stephen said.
“The relief was unbelievable, as you can imagine,” he said of what happened afterwards. He then went on to explain that there had been a “clot” that had got stuck behind his urethral track, which had caused the blockage.
He said that he then went to the toilet, which was one of the “nicest experiences me and my penis have had”.
Seth then showed a photo Stephen had taken with the cabin crew following his successful operation and wee.
Read more: Adolescence season 2 talks underway but Stephen Graham fans fear it’s an ‘unnecessary risk’
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