Shirtless Paul Mescal breaks cover after awkward Saoirse Ronan showdown

Paul Mescal was seen relaxing shirtless just hours before his now-viral show down with aired.

The actor has been in promoting the upcoming movie Gladiator II movie which is scheduled to be released in the UK later this month. While Down Under, the Irish heartthrob, 28, has been embracing the warmer climates during the Australian summer while his native hometown has been plunged into coldness.

In recent months, has been throwing himself into the Gladiator II promotional trial and opened up about his time on set, including an 'intense fight' on the film set. He also recently addressed the But just hours before Paul appeared to be blissfully unaware of the impending drama.

He was photographed topless, with a cigarette in his hand while looking at the views from his hotel balcony in Sydney with two female friends and a male pal. In the images obtained by the ditched his signature short-shorts and instead opted for a pair of long black jeans as he wore them close to his waist with a belt, featuring a striking silver buckle.

Mescal's ripped physique was on full display as images showed him tensing up as he turned to soak in the Sydney Harbour views. But during his appearance on the One chat show with his co-stars Denzel Washington as well as Saoirse and , one conversation left the all-male panel lost for words as the Irish actress, 30, reminded them about violence against women.

The panel had been joking about filming fights and arguments when Saoirse stopped them to remind them why women need to film evidence of it. Eddie, 42, revealed he was taught how to use a phone to retaliate in the event of an attack during his training for The Day of the Jackal.

Amused by the concept, Paul, replied: "Who is actually going to think about that? If someone actually attacked me, I'm not going to go 'phone'," as he mimicked taking a phone out his pocket to film. Graham, 61, laughed at the idea and quipped: "Can you hold on a second?" Eddie added: "That's a very good point."

Saoirse quietly watched their exchange before she found the perfect moment to share her thoughts. She simply said: "That's what girls have to think about all the time," as the panel were stunned into silence before agreeing with her. She then turned to the audience and said: "Am I right, ladies?"

The crowd cheered and clapped for the star, with the moment going viral on social media. "Saoirse Ronan gagging men we love to see it," one user praised the actress. Another posted: "Saoirse Ronan is a queen. Men need a reminder what it’s like being a woman so they can appreciate their privilege. The silence after she said that speaks volumes."

While Paul hasn't commented on the disagreement, and called Paul her "dear friend." Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on Virgin Radio UK, she admitted she is good friends with Paul and the topic raised on Graham's show is not alien to them in their own private discussions. She explained: "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.

"But I think the fact that there was a moment like that that happened on a show like Graham Norton, which is something that the entire nation channels and to watch and even overseas, it's something that people tune into, it seems to have had an accessibility which seems to have really gained traction, which I think is amazing."

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