Paul Mescal felt objectified by Normal People pin-up status

\'Normal People\' star Paul Mescal felt "objectified" when the BBC show first aired.

The 24-year-old actor played Connell Waldron opposite Daisy Edgar-Jones\' Marianne Sheridan on the drama series which became a hit due to it\'s realistic sex scenes and romance making Paul a pin-up.

However, the Irish thespian wasn\'t comfortable with his sex symbol status which even saw an Instagram account made to celebrate the silver chain he wore around his neck, a prop that became an object of desire for many women.

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Speaking in ELLE magazine, he said: "I felt objectified after \'Normal People\'. It\'s to be expected, given the intimacy of my scenes, but it doesn\'t make it easier.

"The power of Connell\'s chain was completely unexpected. And a bit frightening! It became this totemic being that lived outside the show."

Paul - who was listed at number two in the publication\'s movers and shakers list in association with Magnum ice cream - was also bombarded with explicit messages from women on his social media accounts and he coped with the avalanche of romantic offers by simply ignoring them.

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He added: "I dare not read some of the intense DMs I receive. But it\'s not enough to put me off the industry."

His co-star Daisy made number seven on ELLE\'s list and opened up about her personal journey to acting.

She said: "Not going to drama school taught me to think on my feet. I\'ve had to learn on the job, which made me determined."