Joe Lycett is a British comedian and television presenter known for his sharp wit, satirical stunts, and appearances on shows like Taskmaster and Late Night Lycett. Born in Birmingham in 1988, he has built a career blending stand-up comedy with activism, most notably legally changing his name to Hugo Boss in 2020 to protest corporate bullying. As of 2026, he is 37 years old, with an estimated net worth of £1.2–£1.3 million, and has recently become a father.
From his early days winning the Chortle Student Comedian of the Year award to hosting his own Channel 4 series, Lycett has consistently used humour to highlight social and political issues. His personal life remains largely private, though he has openly discussed his pansexuality and his relationship with a woman he calls “Denise.”
This article covers the key facts about Joe Lycett – his age, height, net worth, partner, career milestones, and the story behind his famous name change.
Who Is Joe Lycett? Biography and Career Overview
British comedian and TV presenter, born 5 July 1988 in Birmingham. Known for Taskmaster, Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back, and Late Night Lycett.
Age: 37 (2026). Height: ~6′ 1″ (1.85 m). Net worth: estimated £1.2–£1.3 million.
Won Chortle Student Comedian of the Year (2009). Nominated for Best Newcomer at Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Hosts multiple TV series.
Legally changed name to Hugo Boss (2020) to protest brand intimidation. Exhibition EVERY THING MUST GO launches July 2026.
- Joe Lycett is openly pansexual and often incorporates his identity into stand-up material.
- He gained mainstream visibility through panel shows and his own Channel 4 programme Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back.
- In February 2020 he changed his name by deed poll to Hugo Boss in protest against the fashion brand’s legal letters to small businesses.
- His net worth is based on estimates from media reports and has not been independently verified.
- Lycett has been candid about suffering from anxiety and panic attacks.
- He revealed the birth of his first son in October 2024 but keeps his partner’s identity private.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joe Harry Lycett (also known as Hugo Boss, 2020) |
| Birth Date | 5 July 1988 |
| Birthplace | Hall Green, Birmingham, England |
| Age (2026) | 37 |
| Height | Approximately 6′ 0″–6′ 2″ (1.83 m–1.88 m) |
| Net Worth | Estimated £1.2–£1.3 million |
| Orientation | Pansexual |
| Partner | “Denise” (pseudonym, female, private) |
| Children | 1 son (born October 2024) |
| Notable Shows | Taskmaster (Series 1), Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back, Late Night Lycett, LOL: Last One Laughing UK |
| Upcoming Event | EVERY THING MUST GO exhibition (July 2026, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery) |
Who Is Joe Lycett’s Partner? Personal Life and Relationships
Is Joe Lycett Married?
No. Joe Lycett is not married and does not have a husband. He is in a relationship with a woman he calls “Denise” – a pseudonym he uses to protect her privacy. He confirmed the relationship in October 2024, having previously been tight-lipped about his love life.
Joe Lycett has never publicly named his partner. The name “Denise” is a deliberate pseudonym, and no further identifying information has been shared. This respects both his and his family’s desire for privacy.
Does Joe Lycett Have Children?
Yes. In October 2024 he announced the birth of his first son at Birmingham Women’s Hospital. His online profiles list one child.
What Is Joe Lycett’s Sexuality?
Joe Lycett identifies as pansexual and regularly references this in his stand‑up routines. He has been open about his queer identity throughout his career.
Despite persistent online speculation, there is no evidence that Joe Lycett has ever been married to a man. He is in a long‑term relationship with a woman and has a young son.
What Happened to Joe Lycett? Tour, Name Change, and Recent Events
The Hugo Boss Name Change
In February 2020, Joe Lycett legally changed his name by deed poll to Hugo Boss. This was a protest against the German fashion brand, which had sent cease‑and‑desist letters to small businesses – including Boss Brewing in Swansea – for using the word “Boss”. Lycett’s stunt drew international attention to what he called “corporate bullying”.
He changed his name back to Joe Lycett in April 2020, after the controversy had been widely reported. However, he still refers to himself as “the comedian formerly known as Hugo Boss” in promotional materials for his 2026 exhibition.
Is Joe Lycett Touring? Tickets and Future Events
His most recent tour, How Do You Lycett? (also titled More, More, More!), aired on Channel 4 in September 2023 and marked his first major tour in several years. As of 2026, he has announced no immediate stand‑up tour dates, but a new comedy tour called Freak Week: The Woman Who Was Born Walking Backwards is listed as “Coming Soon”.
His next confirmed public event is the exhibition EVERY THING MUST GO, launching in July 2026 at Birmingham’s Museum & Art Gallery. Tickets are available through the museum’s official channels. There are no official “Taskmaster tour” tickets for Lycett in 2025, though he frequently appears at comedy festivals.
Recent TV Appearances
In March 2025 he competed in the first series of LOL: Last One Laughing UK, lasting two episodes and placing 9th. He is also set to appear on the second series of The Celebrity Traitors in autumn 2026. He continues to host the variety show Late Night Lycett on Channel 4.
What Are the Key Milestones in Joe Lycett’s Career?
- 1988 – Born in Hall Green, Birmingham.
- 2009 – Wins Chortle Student Comedian of the Year; begins performing stand‑up.
- 2012 – Debut show Some Lycett Hot nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
- 2015 – Appears on the first series of Taskmaster.
- 2017 – First major TV series Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back airs on BBC Three.
- 2020 – Changes name to Hugo Boss (February); reverts to Joe Lycett (April).
- 2023 – Begins hosting Late Night Lycett on Channel 4; tours with How Do You Lycett?.
- 2024 – Becomes a father; reveals relationship with “Denise”.
- 2025 – Stars in LOL: Last One Laughing UK.
- 2026 – Exhibition EVERY THING MUST GO (July); expected appearance on The Celebrity Traitors (autumn).
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Joe Lycett?
Established information
- Born 1988 in Birmingham (Wikipedia).
- British comedian and TV presenter.
- Identifies as pansexual/queer.
- Changed name to Hugo Boss in 2020 (official Instagram statement).
- Has a girlfriend referred to under the pseudonym “Denise”.
- Father of one son (born 2024).
Information that remains unclear
- Exact birth date (most sources confirm 5 July 1988, but a few list only the year).
- Precise height – estimates range from 1.83 m to 1.88 m.
- Net worth – only media estimates available; no verified financial disclosure.
- Partner’s real name – “Denise” is a pseudonym and has not been confirmed.
- Whether he has legally reverted from “Hugo Boss” – all accounts indicate he changed back in April 2020, but no official document is public.
What Makes Joe Lycett’s Comedy Stand Out?
Joe Lycett’s comedy mixes absurdist satire with sharp social commentary. He frequently targets corporate ethics, media narratives, and LGBTQ+ issues. His 2020 name‑change stunt was a high‑profile act of protest that generated global headlines, positioning him as a serious activist figure alongside his comedy career. He also openly discusses his mental health struggles, including anxiety and panic attacks, which adds a layer of authenticity to his public persona.
In his show More, More, More!, he explored a darker family history, discovering that his great‑grandfather Robert Wilkinson was a boy chimney sweep who later became a Royal Marine and was involved in razing villages in China during the Opium Wars. This willingness to confront difficult subjects while keeping audiences laughing is a hallmark of his work.
Lycett maintains a multiplatform presence across TV, YouTube, and Instagram, often using viral moments to drive ticket sales for his tours and exhibitions. He also supports other Welsh‑born performers – for instance, he has publicly shown solidarity with actors such as Michael Sheen and Humphrey Ker during their own advocacy work.
Where Can I Find Reliable Information About Joe Lycett?
“Joe Lycett (born 1988) is a British comedian and television presenter.”
“I am the comedian formerly known as Hugo Boss. EVERY THING MUST GO exhibition launches July 2026.”
Other trusted sources include LADbible for net‑worth reporting, Wales Online for relationship and age details, and his official YouTube channel for video content. The BBC published a detailed report on the name-change story.
What Is the Bottom Line on Joe Lycett?
Joe Lycett is a multi‑faceted entertainer who uses comedy as a vehicle for activism. At 37, his estimated net worth of £1.2–£1.3 million reflects a steady career in television and live performance. He is openly pansexual, in a private relationship with a woman, and a father to a young son. While some details about his height, exact finances, and partner’s identity remain unconfirmed, his public record is well‑documented through interviews, Wikipedia, and his own social media. For fans, the next major opportunity to see his work is the EVERY THING MUST GO exhibition in Birmingham, July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joe Lycett
How old is Joe Lycett?
He was born on 5 July 1988, making him 37 years old as of 2026.
How tall is Joe Lycett?
His height is not officially confirmed, but estimates from multiple sources range from 1.83 m to 1.88 m (approximately 6′ 0″–6′ 2″).
What is Joe Lycett’s net worth?
Media reports estimate his net worth at £1.2–£1.3 million, accumulated through TV appearances, comedy tours, and presenting work. This has not been independently verified.
Did Joe Lycett really change his name to Hugo Boss?
Yes. In February 2020 he legally changed his name by deed poll to protest the brand’s legal tactics. He changed it back two months later.
Is Joe Lycett married?
No. He is in a relationship with a woman referred to as “Denise”, but they are not married.
Does Joe Lycett have children?
Yes, he has one son, born in October 2024.
What is Joe Lycett’s sexuality?
He is pansexual and often references this in his stand‑up material.
Where can I buy Joe Lycett tickets for his 2026 exhibition?
Tickets for EVERY THING MUST GO (July 2026) are available through Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s official channels.
Did Joe Lycett appear on Taskmaster?
Yes, he competed in the first series of Taskmaster in 2015.
Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at DailyCity.co.uk, covering breaking news and general city stories across the UK.