Joe Lycett has already made an impact on the BBC's Celebrity Traitors after accidentally getting Traitor Richard E. Grant to out himself within the first five minutes of the game. Eager not to let his fellow contestants turn a blind eye to the obvious, he is keeping the veteran actor in his sights.
A Birmingham star with a flair for the absurd
The 38-year-old comedian, born in Solihull and living in Birmingham, began performing stand-up in 2009 and went on to appear on shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats, Celebrity Juice and Late Night Lycett. While he is a household name across the country, the star stays true to his Birmingham roots.
The self-taught artist held his first solo exhibition, called Everything Must Go, which opened in July 2026 at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Also known for his hilarious stunts, Lycett hit headlines back in 2019 for an iconic stunt at his own Birmingham home.
The kitchen extension that made headlines
Back in 2019, Lycett emailed the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Yvonne Mosquito, to officially open his new kitchen extension. Her office politely declined following his initial email, explaining it was a private event.
Sharing a copy of the email on X, he said: "I am the owner of a mid-terrace property in south Birmingham. When I purchased it, there was an outhouse at the back with an asbestos roof, which I have arranged to have rebuilt, extending the kitchen out into the garden. I think it will be particularly delightful in the summer.
"I am writing to ask if you will consider the honour of unveiling the aforementioned kitchen extension. If you agree, I will have a commemorative plaque commissioned with the agreed date and your name on it which will be affixed to the new extension and unveiled with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony out the back of my house."
He added: "I will invite many local people and dignitaries, plus Paul Chuckle. It could take you as little as 10 minutes, or longer if you would like to stay for refreshments." He was told by the Lord Mayor's office that if it were to be a public, ticketed event, his luck could change.
From raffle to ribbon-cutting
Lo and behold, Lycett held a raffle for four members of the public to win tickets to attend. Comedian Katherine Ryan, Soccer AM presenter Lloyd Griffith and Nick Owen from BBC Midlands Today were among the celebrity guests at the event in Kings Heath.
The BBC shared a video of the Lord Mayor cutting a ceremonial ribbon and she said in her speech: "Joe, this is the first kitchen extension I have ever opened." Comedian Katherine Ryan also commented: "I just couldn't believe that Yvonne Mosquito herself was going to be here. Of course, that's what's happening with Joe's kitchen extension.
"He loves a joke, and then the joke always goes way too far."
Changing his name to Hugo Boss
Lycett's other public stunts include legally changing his name to Hugo Boss back in 2020. He made the bold move in response to a legal dispute between fashion company Hugo Boss and the Swansea-based Boss Brewing.
He was keen to draw attention to the company's use of legal action over alleged copyright violations against numerous small businesses, including Boss Brewing, for the use of the word Boss.
In his original post on X, Lycett posted a photo of his name change and said: "This week I legally changed my name by deed poll, external and I am now officially known as Hugo Boss."
Celebrity Traitors is back on BBC One tonight at 8pm.
