Carol Vorderman congratulates Joe Lycett on new dad status amid 'prank' baby announcement rumours

Carol Vorderman has quelled the rumours surrounding Joe Lycett's surprising baby news after fans were convinced his recent announcement was a prink.

The 36-year-old comedian, who previously legally changed his name to Hugo Boss, shocked his followers on Friday when he posted a snap of himself holding a newborn in park to Instagram, announcing he'd become a father.

Many fans on social media are believing his latest post is another ruse for his Channel Four show, Late Night Lycett. Earlier this year, Joe revealed he was the mastermind behind a number of fake new stories, including a man with a bruise in the shape of Prince Harry and a statue of H from Steps being erected in his home town of Cowbridge in Wales.

One Instagram user replied to the post, saying: "I'm just worried this will come out as him cuddling a bunch of rhubarb in a hat tbh." However, Joe's friend and Countdown legend, Carol Vorderman, 63, appears to have confirmed Joe's new dad status.

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She wrote: "Hooray, there he is. Both of you, all of you. Congratulations to both of you," intimating that she knew about the pregnancy beforehand, reports the Mirror. Joe, who describes himself as "pansexual", announced the arrival of his child via an Instagram post after revealing he had a girlfriend called 'Denise', who he admitted was not her real name.

Sharing a snap of himself with a tiny baby snuggled inside his coat, he thanked hospital staff for managing the arrival of his bundle of joy, writing: "In appreciation post from me for the extraordinary