Stephen Fry has shocked legendary Irish TV presenter Gay Byrne with his outspoken comments on God. 

The QI presenter was appearing on the RTE programme The Meaning Of Life, which is due to go out this weekend, and was asked by Byrne what he would say to God if he died and went to heaven. 

Fry replied that he would ask God: “Bone cancer in children, what's that about?” He would also ask why there insects that burrowed their way into children’s eyes. He added that he would say: “How dare you create a world where there is such misery that's not our fault? It's utterly, utterly evil.”

The recently married 57-year-old called God "monstrous” (if he existed), “an utter maniac” and "stupid”. "Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid god who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain?"

"We have to spend our lives on our knees thanking him. What kind of god would do that?

Asked by Byrne if he thinks he'll get in to heaven, the atheist comedian replied: "No, but I wouldn't want to.” He said he prefers the ancient Greek gods, who were more human.

Byrne responded by saying: "That sure is the longest answer to that question that I ever got in this entire series."

Watch Fry's comments here