The moment drew loud applause from the studio audience, was watched millions of times online and inspired newspaper columns. Ronan said she was pleasantly surprised by the response.

In an interview with Virgin Radio UK, she said: “The reaction was wild. It’s definitely not something I expected, and I didn’t necessarily intend to cause a sensation.

Ronan continued: “I think there’s something really eye-opening about the society we live in right now and how women want to be open with the men in their lives.

“So many men and women I know from all over the world have contacted me about this comment, which, again, I urge people, please, please, please Please look at this in context.

“The boys didn’t want to debunk everything I said. But at the same time, it was very similar to how I felt when I was having dinner with a group of my friends and I will always point out that, well, this is actually an experience that we have every day.

Ronan added that she has discussed these issues with her “dear friend” Mescal in the past: “He totally understands that and totally understands that, but I think the fact that there was a moment like this one that happened on a show like Graham Norton, which is something that the whole country broadcasts and you can watch and even abroad, it’s something that people listen to, he seems to have had an accessibility that seems to have really gained ground.