Baffling new update after Joe Lycett revealed he has become a father for the first time - as announcement continues to spark 'prank' theories

There has been a baffling new update after Joe Lycett revealed he had become a father over the weekend.

The comedian, 36, left fans stunned on Saturday as he announced he'd welcomed his first child with his mystery girlfriend, with many quickly suggesting it could be a prank.

And as part of his post the star - who is notorious trickster - bizarrely mentioned Autotrader in the caption, saying: 'We will not be taking any press requests about this as we have already sold the rights to the first family picture to Autotrader.'

He did not clarify his mention of the brand any further and it is not known if he has made some kind of deal with the car company. 

Under his announcement Autotrader penned: 'Congratulations again Joe! We can't wait to publish the photos of Mini Cooper Lycett.' 

And now Autotrader has announced what they are describing as a new digital family photo uploading project launching across its website this week off the back of Joe's post where parents will be able to share images of their family life. 

It is thought to involve customers being able to share family portraits with their loved ones - and it appears from his post that Joe is involved in the 'campaign'. 

The company announced the following on social media: '@joelycett has announced we're now in the family photo business! While we usually trade in cars, we couldn't resist a little side hustle. Coming soon: the most exclusive family photo album around…#TinyTrader'

A spokesperson from Auto Trader told MailOnline: 'After our news became public knowledge, we've had to move quickly to keep up with the demand and are pleased to announce the launch of our Family Photo Gallery. 

'What better way to show off your new pride and joy than on a platform that has over 80 million visitors each month. We hope everyone enjoys the photos and are inspired to browse for a new car while they're with us'.

It comes after Joe made light of the 'misinformation' surrounding his sexuality as he shared a sarcastic post about pansexuality. 

The birth announcement sparked speculation that it was an elaborate stunt by the the serial prankster, while the topic of his sexuality came to the forefront amid the baby news.

And taking to Instagram on Monday, Joe gave fans a humorous education about sexuality, after previously slamming fans for assuming he's only attracted to men.

The flamboyant comic, who is also a self-taught artist, shared a picture of a pangolin titled 'Pansexual, acrylic gouache on canvas, 2024.'

The in typical Joe fashion, he used his sharp wit to educate amid the 'misinformation' about pansexuality as he penned: 'I've seen a lot of misinformation being spread around over the last few days about pansexuality so I thought I'd explain it properly. 

'Pansexuality is actually closely linked with the pangolin (made famous as the intermediary host of SARS-CoV2) and is actually nothing to do with gender or any of that woke stuff but mating rituals which are primarily to do with smell and are strictly seasonal. 

'If someone tells you they are pansexual then make sure to look at their nostrils, particularly in late spring, because there's a good chance they are sniffing around for a mate (at peak season they can pick up smells up to 80 miles away unless they have a sinus infection which they are prone to). 

'Generally the smells they are attracted to are blueberry flavour disposable vapes, alpro soy milk (unsweetened), nail varnish remover and coins, but some really like chicken jalfrezi (NEVER, EVER put a lamb korma near a pansexual). I hope that clears things up xxxx.' 

It came as Joe revealed his ideal partner in a unearthed interview following the shock baby news.

The comedian admitted that gender does not come into the equation when it comes to finding his ideal partner, and is only interested in someone he can relax with. 

Speaking to Attitude in 2015, he said: 'I've tried Tinder. I'm not a very sexual kind of person. I'm emotional.' 

Of his ideal partner, he added: 'Someone to lie there with eating chocolate. That's the dream.'

He also revealed that pansexual is the closest sexual orientation that he related to and that a person's thighs are what he is most attracted. 

Joe has kept his love life private throughout his famed career and revealed very little about past or current partners but he has hinted at what he is attracted to in a person.

He previously said: 'I say bisexual because it's easy for people to understand but I actually don't quite think it's that.

'Pansexual seems to be the closest thing at this point. In the sense that, what I'm attracted to changes depending on intangible things.

'Sometimes you just look at someone's thighs and think, 'Oof, God, yeah', but the other parts don't appeal to you. 

'It's not entirely to do with gender – it's to do with where you're at, your upbringing and the kind of person you are. It's really complicated, like life is.'  

The unearthing of the interview comes after he surprised fans on Friday that he is now a father as he shared a sweet snap of himself cradling his newborn son on Instagram.

The news came after the TV funnyman opened up on his romance with his mystery partner, whom he first revealed in April.

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. 

The news comes after Joe recently opened up about his sexuality and spoke about his secret girlfriend 'Denise'.

Speaking on the Bimini Bon-Boulash's podcast The Pieces, 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.'

Joe, who's openly spoken about his sexuality in the past, then went on to speak to the former Ru Paul's Drag Race star about being pansexual.

He 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 attracted to people, just because of their gender.'

Joe went on to say that at times he struggles to explain his sexuality, adding: '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 first spoke about his new love during the latest series of his show Late Night Lycett on Channel 4. 

Opening the show, he said: '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'. 

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.