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Ronan appeared on the show alongside actors Paul Mescal, Eddie Redmayne and Denzel Washington. BBC

Saoirse Ronan hopes viral Graham Norton Show moment will spark discussions about women's safety

Ronan said the conversation about women’s safety must be discussed openly.

ACTOR SAOIRSE RONAN has said she is pleased that her comments on The Graham Norton Show last week have sparked a conversation about women’s safety and experiences with having to think of ways to defend themselves.

Last Friday, Ronan appeared on The Graham Norton Show alongside fellow Irish star Paul Mescal and actors Eddie Redmayne and Denzel Washington.

Speaking about his experience training for the role of an assassin on the television programme The Day of the Jackal, Redmayne explained how he had been taught how to use to the end of his phone as a weapon for self defence.

Mescal then questioned who would think to take out their phone to defend themselves in a self-defence situation, to which Ronan responded: “That’s what girls have to think about all the time. Am I right ladies?”

Her remarks received a round of applause from the audience in the studio in London and the clip was circulated widely online. Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on Virgin Radio UK this morning, Ronan said she was taken aback by the response to the clip.

“The reaction has been wild. It’s definitely not something that I had expected, and I didn’t necessarily set out to sort of make a splash,” she said.

Ronan said that she has been contacted by many people, both men and women, commending her for her comments and urged listeners to watch the clip in its full context.

She defended claims that Mescal and the other male actors were trying to “debunk” her remarks.

“Paul being one of my very dear friends, I’ve had conversations like that with him before and he completely gets that and completely understands that,” Ronan said, adding that the conversation about similar experiences of women must be discussed openly.

She added: “It’s opening a conversation and hopefully it’s allowing more and more women to just be like: ‘Well, yeah actually – let’s talk about our experience.’

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    Mute Tom Newell
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:32 AM

    Which ones the celebrity?

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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:34 AM

    @Tom Newell: As if you don’t Recognise Tyrone from Coronation street.

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    Nov 15th 2024, 12:34 PM

    @Ger Whelan: No, no I don’t.

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:31 AM

    It’s one of my telly guilty pleasures! Always a bit of fun and ant and dec are brilliant.

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:10 AM

    @J B: ah we can’t all be as edgy and cool as you.

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    Nov 16th 2024, 8:52 AM

    @J B: not need to be such a bellend..

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    Mute Eamon
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:25 AM

    No.

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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:32 AM

    NO.

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    Mute Margaret Deacon
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:10 AM

    Absolutely not

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    Mute Paddy Whelan
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    Nov 15th 2024, 10:54 AM

    Not for me but if it’s your thing then enjoy

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    Mute Alex
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    Nov 15th 2024, 12:11 PM

    Hopefully they get in Mrs Vardy halfway through the series, now that I’d watch

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    Mute Tezmond McVicar
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    Nov 15th 2024, 2:00 PM

    @Alex: that’s even sadder than watching it in the first place.

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    Mute Alex
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    Nov 16th 2024, 10:18 PM

    @Tezmond McVicar: ouch

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    Mute Phillip Smyth
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:23 AM

    Viewers saying they’re not when they are.

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    Mute ben wu
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:53 AM

    @Phillip Smyth: I can quite honestly say that I’m not going to be watching any of it.

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    Mute bruce banner
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:20 AM

    Imagine how many great series never get made as this lazy format vacuums up a huge part of the programming budget

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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Nov 15th 2024, 2:49 PM

    @bruce banner: they make more than it costs I’m sure, otherwise they wouldn’t do it

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    Mute Phillip Smyth
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:05 AM

    Yep I’m in for it, can’t wait to see how Colleen Rooney performs.

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:20 AM

    It’s right up there with Fairly shitty and Ireland v Finland!

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    Nov 15th 2024, 12:33 PM

    Love it. Watch it every year with the family. And ant and Dec ARE brilliant.

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    Nov 15th 2024, 4:54 PM

    Not a great lineup

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    Mute liam ward
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    Nov 15th 2024, 11:57 AM

    And the deaf no,s will fall on the deaf ears of itv only their advertiser’s matter people dont ask Schofield that

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    Nov 15th 2024, 12:21 PM

    New programme starting the end of the month… Philip Schofield runs a train

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    Nov 15th 2024, 9:10 PM

    I’d rather dip my nuts in acid

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    Nov 16th 2024, 1:35 PM

    It’s not for everyone, but I’ve always enjoyed watching I’m a Celebrity. It’s been a family tradition since 2007 and it’s a sign that Christmas is just around the corner.

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    Nov 17th 2024, 9:55 AM

    Worst program ever.

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