All the times notoriously private Joe Lycett has discussed his dating

Joe Lycett surprised fans on Friday when he revealed the sweet news he had become a father for the first time.   

The comedian, 36, took to Instagram to share that he had welcomed a son with his mystery girlfriend 'Denise', sharing an adorable snap with a newborn in a tiny woolly hat.

Joe is notoriously private about his love life, referring to his long-term partner as 'Denise', a fake name, because her job means she can't be in the public eye. 

He has spoken over the years about identifying as pansexual - being attracted to people of all genders or regardless of their gender - but previously admitted he tends to not put enough effort into his love life due to his busy work schedule.

However in April during an episode of his award-winning Channel 4 show Late Night Lycett, Joe announced he had a girlfriend. 

He told viewers: 'A lot has changed since the last series, I've got some news which is that I have a girlfriend. 

'I've talked about being bisexual for years but people presume I'm homosexual based on my entire personality...yes I've got a girlfriend and people have been very nice about it.' 

Joe also joked he received a letter from the Pope regarding his new relationship which read 'one down'.

Speaking on the Bimini Bon-Boulash's podcast The Pieces on Tuesday, Joe gave a rare insight into his love life as he spoke about using a fake name for his partner in a bid to keep her identity a secret.

He said: 'So I've got Winston the cat, and my partner Denise. And, um, she's not called Denise, but I don't talk about her because she has a job that she can't be in the public eye.

'I call her Denise because she hates the name Denise, so, uh, I live with Denise.'

Speaking previously about his ideal relationship, Joe told Attitude magazine his perfect partner would be 'someone to lie there with eating chocolate. That's the dream.' 

He has spoken over the years about being bisexual, but also revealed on Bimini's podcast that pansexual is the term he feels best fits. 

Joe shared: 'Well, it’s interesting now being in a long-term relationship with a woman because loads of people are like, sorry what? There was a brief period when I was at school when I thought because I was attracted to men, I was gay, and then I was like, whoa, whoa, whoa, hang on.

'Then I use the term bisexual when anyone asks and I just want to give a quick answer because people understand that.

'But I think the most accurate way of describing myself is pansexual, in that I’m not 

The TV funnyman shared he had become a dad as he posted a sweet snap of himself cradling his newborn son on Instagram on Friday.

Alongside the image, Joe penned on Instagram: 'An appreciation post from me for the extraordinary @bham_womens 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.

'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 f**king 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.'

The adorable image sees Joe wrapping his black coat around the tot, who's dressed in a blue knitted hat, as they took a stroll outside. 

The star is seen looking tenderly down at his boy as he carefully holds him to his chest.

Fans were quick to send their congratulations to the comic, though many were suspicious this could all be an elaborate prank - which the star is well known for.

Comments included: 'I can't tell if this is satire but I'm here for it either way.'

'I'm saying congratulations but I'm also thinking this is you and it could easily be a puppy/kitten/gearbox in that hat.'

'Congratulations!! (unless this is an elaborate prank in which case, congratulations!)' 

'I never know what's real and what's not when Lycett is involved.'

However, Birmingham Women's Hospital added a heartfelt comment which read 'Massive congratulations again to you all. We're so proud to have supported you on this incredible life-changing milestone. We wish you all the best and lots of gorgeous cuddles for the future.'

While several other celebrities including Judi Love, Clara Amfo and John Whaite offered congratulatory messages. 

Speaking on Bimini's podcast this week, Joe went on to say that at times he struggles to explain his sexuality: 'I also don't really know how it works because, I don't know, how does it work? As in, I don't know how it works in terms of like, explaining it to idiots. Because it is hard to sort of go, well, no, I am attracted to men sometimes, but not all men. And it's not often to do with the fact that they are men. 

'Often it's like a good torso is enough, you know? The little abs. Yeah, that's it. The lines. The torso is dangerous. A lovely arm.

'Yeah, it doesn't matter what the gender or whatever. And I don't know why that is, but that is how it is. It's a strange one because to me that suggests that sexuality is not just man, woman.

'So the intellectual side of me goes it's pansexual, which means all. So, that's how I feel about myself.'

Joe is often well known for his high-profile stunts including when he changed his name to Hugo Boss back in 2020. 

He also shredded £10,000 in a high-profile spat with David Beckham, whom he criticised for being a Qatar ambassador during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.