The comedian Joe Lycett has announced he has become a father to a baby boy.
Lycett, 36, shared a picture on Instagram of him holding the infant, whom he said was born at Birmingham women’s hospital.
The TV presenter thanked the hospital and in his caption praised NHS staff for how they “masterfully welcomed a little boy into the world, who happens to be my son”.
He is famous for his pranks but the Guardian understands this particular good news story to be true.
Lycett, who was born in Birmingham, wrote on Friday: “An appreciation post from me for the extraordinary [Birmingham women’s hospital]. My first encounter with them was years ago when they looked after a pal of mine through surgery, and then most recently when they masterfully welcomed a little boy into the world, who happens to be my son.
“The care and compassion his mum and he received was exceptional; from the antenatal classes, incredible midwives, consultants, doctors, nurses and the ongoing care in the community.
“We also loved their baked potatoes. Birmingham is so lucky to have them and I will be forever grateful for everything they’ve done.”
He joked in his social media post that his new role as a parent meant he no longer had an excuse to avoid being a guest on fellow comedians Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe’s podcast called Parenting Hell.
He wrote: “I am LOVING being a dad but sadly I think this now means I can’t get out of going on Rob and Josh’s fucking podcast.
“We will not be taking any press requests about this as we have already sold the rights to the first family picture to Autotrader.”
In an article for the Guardian in 2017 on his friends becoming parents, the comedian wrote: “I’ve developed a fun text when a friend has just had a baby. I ask a classic question: ‘Are you sleeping?’
“The reply is inevitably that they aren’t, they’re getting a few hours here and there, they’re exhausted. It’s then when I swoop in: ‘It’ll all be worth it when they’re softly stroking your hair as you slip into oblivion.’”