Paul Mescal says it’s 'uncomfortable’ having everyone lust after him

'I think maybe what's sexy about Connell is he's kind of classic back-footed, aloof, smart. I'm definitely not back-footed or aloof'

Star of BBC Three’s Normal People Paul Mescal has revealed he finds it “uncomfortable” having so many people lust after him and explains that he is “nothing like” his character Connell Waldron.

The 24-year-old captured the hearts of many with his portrayal of the handsome but reserved Irish student Connell who falls in love with Marianne Sheridan, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones.

When asked how he has dealt with millions of viewers falling for him, Mescal told The Sun: “To be honest, it's uncomfortable. I'm not trying to be full of faux humility but it's a weird thing when people are very quickly attracted to a character you play.”

The actor continued: “And I think that's the thing I'm focusing on. I'm not Connell, I'm totally different to him. I think maybe what's sexy about Connell is he's kind of classic back-footed, aloof, smart. I'm definitely not back-footed or aloof.”

The actor explained that when people direct message him on social media, they often address him as though he were Connell which he finds “weird”.

Paul continued: “It was kind of fun at the start, ‘oh, this is mad, people think that Connell's sexy,’ and then a weird thing has kind of crept in where, when people DM, there's this feeling that maybe there's an anticipation that I'm him.”