STEPHEN FRY HAS spoken out about his RTÉ interview with Gay Byrne last week that caused so much controversy – saying that he is absolutely astonished by the public reaction he has received.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 this morning, Fry stressed that he did not mean any offence by what he said and that he is happy that it’s got people talking about the topic of religion.

Photas / Tass/Press Association Images Photas / Tass/Press Association Images / Tass/Press Association Images

Fry started out saying that he was attacking no religion specifically:

I don’t think I mentioned once any particular religion and I certainly didn’t intend – I know I didn’t – to say anything offensive towards any particular religion. I said quite a few things that were angry at this supposed God. I was merely saying things that Bertrand Russell and many finer heads than mine have said for hundreds of years.

He continued, saying: “I was astonished that it caused so viral an explosion on Twitter and elsewhere. I’m most pleased I think that it’s got people talking. I’d never wish to offend anybody who is individually devout or pious and goes about their religious ways.”

The video in question was a part of Gay Byrne’s RTÉ series The Meaning of Life – where the veteran broadcaster interviews people on the matter of faith, religion and spirituality.

This preview clip has received over 5 million views in the last week:

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