This is England actor Thomas Turgoose has revealed that Beeston-based director Shane Meadows and co-star Stephen Graham offered to adopt him after his mum's death.
The gritty drama, which brought Nottingham born actor Vicky McClure to the spotlight, was largely set in areas of Nottingham including St Ann's, Lenton and The Meadows.
It put the then 13-year old Thomas in the role of Shaun starring alongside McClure as Lol and Stephen Graham and Combo.
In the 2006 film, which is about unemployment and racism in England in the 1980s, Shaun is taken in by a gang of skinheads, including the psychotic Combo.
Thomas's mother, Sharon, died from cancer shortly after the film was completed. The film is dedicated to her memory.
Last week, Thomas told the Private Parts podcast that after his mother's death, he went to live with his father. However, he said that he didn't know him very well.
In response, director Shane Meadows and co-star Stephen Graham, who lives in Ibstock near Coalville, both offered to legally adopt him if things did not turn out alright with his dad.
Speaking to podcast hosts Jamie Laing and Francis Boulle, he said that everyone on This is England was 'like family' to him, Leicestershire Live reports.
He said: "My mum passed away from lung cancer after I finished filming This Is England. She never got to see the finished film.
"Shane Meadows dedicated the film to my mum.
"When my mum died I moved in with my dad and I didn't know him, so Shane Meadows and Steven Graham were going to adopt me if things didn't work out with my dad."
Talking about his life growing up in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, he said things could have been bad for him if he had not landed the role in This is England, which also led to roles in television sequels to the film.
He said: "I was destined for prison. Shoplifting things I didn't need. There was a hardware store in Grimsby that I used to steal spray paint from for no reason."
To hear the full podcast on Private Parts click here.
