Body language expert makes key point about Paul Mescal after Saoirse Ronan called out his joke on Graham Norton show

An expert on human behaviour has chimed in on the controversy surrounding Soairse Ronan and Paul Mescal's recent bust-up on The Graham Norton Show.

The acting duo awkwardly butted heads on Friday night (25 October), after Gladiator star Mescal made a rather dubious remark about self-defence, after which Ronan was praised for highlighting an issue surrounding violence against women.

For those out of the loop with the recent confrontation - a video of which has since gone viral online - the duo appeared on the talk show alongside fellow Hollywood stars Denzel Washington and Eddie Redmayne.

The conversation then turned to the latter's most recent project, with 42-year-old Les Miserables favourite set to play an assassin in the chilling new Sky drama The Day of the Jackal.

Recalling the training he'd received for the role, Redmayne said he'd been taught how to use a mobile phone as a weapon, after which Mescal, 28, joked: "Who is actually going to think about that? If someone actually attacked me, I’m not going to go 'phone'."

Despite some members of the audience laughing at the actor's remark, the studio was subsequently silenced when 30-year-old Little Women star Ronan - the only woman on the sofa - boldly pointed out: "That’s what girls have to think about all the time."

Ronan appeared frustrated by the remark (BBC)

"Am I right, ladies?" the actress added following a brief pause, after which she received a colossal round of applause.

Since the interaction, millions of viewers have since had their say, with many praising Ronan for highlighting a heartbreaking reality for women.

Among those to have since gotten involved in the discussion is body language expert Darren Stanton, who has made a very telling observation about Mescal's reaction, believing him to be regretful over his remark.

Speaking to Tyla, he described the moment as a 'demonstration' of Ronan's 'personal power', pointing out: "Paul Mescal’s gestures became quite submissive after Saoirse’s comment."

Continuing with her assertion, Stanton added: "If you look at Saoirse’s body language, she’s sat at the centre, and her arms are to the side. That says, I’m confident, I’m a confident woman.

Stanton made an observation about Mescal's response (BBC)

"The area in our abdomen around our torso, you’ll notice people who tend to leave that area exposed are in powerful positions, or positions of authority, as it's where our vital organs are.

"Psychologically, she is feeling very confident in herself. When he made the comment about the phone, Saoirse raised her eyebrows and flashed a bit of contempt, but she put them both in their place quickly.

"It was a demonstration of her personal power, and her strong sense of self and the audience applauded. It was a nice moment, that she’s supremely confident."