Tom Blyth went viral for mistaking Cillian Murphy‘s nationality. The former took Murphy’s name in an interview at the Burberry Spring/Summer 2026 show when asked which British star he wanted to see in a Burberry campaign. Blyth’s response shocked fans and Irish celebrities, and he subsequently found himself in hot water. The actor has since issued an apology to Murphy and the Irish people for the mistake.
Tom Blyth apologizes to Cillian Murphy
Tom Blyth graced the Burberry Spring/Summer 2026 Show last month as part of London Fashion Week. In an interview, the Billy the Kid actor was asked which “British icon” he wanted to see in a Burberry campaign.
“British icon I’d like to see in a Burberry campaign? Ooh, I mean Cillian Murphy. Let’s say Cillian, yeah,” Blyth replied.
Blyth’s answer prompted a variety of surprised/offended responses from fans and Irish celebrities. “Was it a blunder, or just ignorance?” A user commented under the LADBible Ireland video that shared the clip. Another added, “The fact that he repeats the question is fairly incriminating.”
Meanwhile, Irish actress Eve Hewson wrote, “Oh, boy.” Singer Imelda May wrote, “It usually goes like this: ‘I know you Irish are officially not British but …you kinda just are though aren’t you… like I know that you’re all ‘not’ but you all ‘are’ though.'”
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes star issued an apology at the BFI London Film Festival premiere of Wasteman.
“Firstly, I’m so sorry to you and your people,” Blyth told The Standard. “I’ve nothing but respect for the Irish and I love Cillian Murphy.” Blyth admitted his embarrassment, adding that he was jetlagged and “blurted out” an answer without properly listening to the question.
The 30-year-old joked that the Peaky Blinders star would not want to work with him anymore because of his mistake. “I genuinely was knackered and just not listening properly,” he added. “I’ve learned my lesson. Next time, critically hearing is an important thing,” he further stated.
Blyth was told that he would be welcomed back into Murphy’s hometown of Cork after his apology. To this, he said, “We’ll see — maybe a little while longer.”
People have previously mistaken Murphy’s nationality. In an Inception press interview, the Oscar winner stressed he was Irish when the interviewer called him British, emphasizing that there was a “big difference.”
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on Mandatory.
