AS FAR AS we’re concerned, Jamie Dornan is as Irish as Tayto, red lemonade and a shift outside Coppers, but it looks the actor’s nationality is still cause for discussion if a recent interview is anything to go by.

UTV UTV

Due to air on UTV this Wednesday, the Fifty Shades of Grey star sits down with broadcaster, Eamonn Mallie, and reveals that his perception of nationality is not only anchored in geography, but an innate sense of self.

Tell us more, Jamie.

“I just feel Irish, a lot of that’s down to so many different reasons, mostly geography, that we are an island separate from the UK, so how could you, why would you feel more connected to that other piece of land than you do to the piece of land that you are living on?

Using rugby as a platform to elaborate on his point, the Co Down native, who currently lives in the UK, suggests his allegiance to the Irish team would raise an eyebrow or two if he identified as British.

I have had my whole life either being in Lansdowne Road in Dublin or watching it on TV or watching it in pubs all over the world, just screaming ‘go on Ireland, come on Ireland’ and how could I not call myself Irish?

Fair enough.

And as debate continues to rage over the impact Brexit will have on an international scale, Jamie admits he has lost sleep over the potential repercussions it could have for Northern Ireland.

“I am kept awake at night for what it means for this country. I can’t really see a sort of sound solution, some of the people who have a say in it over here break my heart a little bit.”

“I think this is the last thing that this country needs at the moment, and I just don’t see how there’s a positive outcome for Northern Ireland in the matter.”

Eamonn Mallie: Face to Face with Jamie Dornan will hit our screens at 10.45pm on Wednesday.

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