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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Clare McCarthy

RTE's Ryan Tubridy and Jamie Lee-O'Donnell clashed before - over exact same issue

RTE's Ryan Tubridy and Derry Girls actress Jamie Lee-O'Donnell have previously clashed over her age, following the recent controversy on the Late Late Show.

On last Friday's chat show, host Tubridy got into hot water after asking the 30-year-old star her age, a question which she felt was "misogynistic".

Jamie-Lee, who plays teenager Michelle in the hit Channel 4 sitcom, quickly shut down the line of questioning and said that he wouldn't have asked a male actor the same question.

However, it has emerged that Tubridy had already asked Jamie-Lee the exact same question during a radio interview in 2018 on RTE One.

READ MORE: Inside Derry Girls star Jamie Lee O'Donnell's family life - private boyfriend, age and stardom

In the previous interview Tubridy says: "You play a 16-year-old, you are what age in real life?"

"Not 16," replies Jamie-Lee shortly.

Tubridy continues: "Are you not going to tell us your age?"

"Well no, because I think a bit of a big deal was made of it with Nicola [her co-star in Derry girls] and I don't think it was very fair," says Jamie-Lee.

"So, it’s just sort of a wee bit unfair and it took away a bit from the performances we were doing."

Tubridy backs down, saying: "I’ll just tiptoe away from that now, will I?"

"Yeah, just slightly," replies Jamie-Lee, adding, "I’m 47, just go with that."

Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, 30, plays teenager Michelle in the hit Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls (pictured) (Peter Marley)

Things got awkward on Friday's Late Late Show when Tubridy brought up the same question with Jamie-Lee again.

He queried: "This may be a rude question and you don't have to answer but can I ask you how old you are?"

Jamie-Lee jokingly replied: "I'm 117 - and very, very wise."

"Good answer. Would you consider telling me what age you are?" said Tubridy.

"This is the thing about that, it gets on my nerves a wee bit," said Jamie-Lee.

Tubridy began to backtrack, saying: "Oh no, that's okay, I'll walk away from it if you'd like me to."

"Do you know what it is, it's always quite misogynistic even it's unintentionally misogynistic because men don't get the same scrutiny in their career," said Jamie-Lee.

Tubridy defended himself saying: "I would definitely have asked the male actor the same question because he's playing a teenager too."

Jamie-Lee replied: "You're saying that now, there's nobody here. I'll have to take your word for it."

The awkward moment made headlines and caused widespread debate over the weekend, with viewers divided over the matter.

Some sided with Jamie-Lee and agreed that the line of questioning was ill-advised.

Others felt the reaction was overblown and felt it was a fair query for an actor depicting a character far younger than them on the screen.

READ MORE: RTE's Ryan Tubridy stays silent on Late Late Show drama after Derry Girls star slammed 'misogynistic' question

READ MORE: Jennifer Zamparelli says RTE 2FM presenters need to 'get on with the gig' after controversy at the station

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