Comedian and presenter Joe Lycett has already caused a stir on the BBC's Celebrity Traitors after inadvertently prompting Traitor Richard E. Grant to reveal himself within the opening five minutes of the game. Determined not to allow his fellow participants to overlook the glaring evidence, he continues to monitor the veteran actor closely.
The 38-year-old, who hails from Solihull and resides in Birmingham, launched his stand-up career in 2009 before featuring on numerous television programmes including 8 Out of 10 Cats, Celebrity Juice and Late Night Lycett. Renowned for his amusing pranks, Lycett made headlines in 2019 for a memorable stunt at his Birmingham home.
Kitchen extension opening
In 2019, Lycett contacted Birmingham's Lord Mayor, Yvonne Mosquito, requesting she officially open his new kitchen extension. Her office courteously refused following his original correspondence, noting it was a private occasion.
Publishing a copy of the correspondence on X, he wrote: "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."
"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."
The Lord Mayor's office informed him that should it become a public, ticketed occasion, his fortunes might improve.
Public event and famous guests
Sure enough, Lycett organised a prize draw offering four members of the public the opportunity to secure attendance. Stand-up performer Katherine Ryan, Soccer AM host Lloyd Griffith and BBC Midlands Today's Nick Owen numbered amongst the famous faces present at the Kings Heath gathering.
Stand-up performer Katherine Ryan observed: "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."
Name change to Hugo Boss
Among Lycett's previous public escapades was legally adopting the name Hugo Boss in 2020, a daring gesture responding to legal proceedings between fashion giant Hugo Boss and Swansea's Boss Brewing. He was eager to highlight the firm's use of legal proceedings over alleged copyright infringements against a number of small businesses, including Boss Brewing, over their use of the word Boss.
In his initial post on X, Lycett shared a photograph of his name change, stating: "This week I legally changed my name by deed poll, external and I am now officially known as Hugo Boss."
Celebrity Traitors returns to BBC One tonight at 8pm.
