Russell Brand has become a father for the first time, according to reports from fans at his recent stand-up gig in Nottingham, having welcomed a baby with his fiancée Laura Gallacher.

The 41 year old comic and actor, who was once married to pop megastar Katy Perry, is said to have made the announcement during his stand-up comedy evening at the Nottingham Playhouse on Sunday night (November 6th).

Russell BrandRussell Brand has reportedly become a first time father

One of the attendees at the performance, 29 year old Daniel Crann, told the Daily Mirror the next day: “he didn't confirm if it was a girl or a boy… he was conscious of the clock and made sure he was off stage by just approaching 9pm as he ‘needed to get down the f***ing M21 as my girlfriend has just had a baby’.”

The often controversial comedian spoke to Evening Standard Magazine as recently as last month, where he enthused about the idea of first-time fatherhood.

More: Expectant father Russell Brand may not impose a gender on his child

“I feel lit up by the idea. I’m very excited about becoming a dad and I’m preparing myself. I am just getting ready to be with a new little person and see what it is they want.”

Brand and 27 year old fiancée Laura, the younger sister of Sky Sports News presenter Kirsty Gallacher, got engaged earlier this year having rekindled their on/off romance in 2015. This came after Brand endured a torrid split from his former wife Perry back in 2012, which was widely rumoured to have been caused by her reluctance to have children in her twenties.

“It’s all about Laura and becoming a dad now,” another source told MailOnline.com, after the news had been confirmed back in July. "They have been living as a couple for the past six months and are determined to make a go of their relationship… Russell is absolutely made up. Most of his closest friends have children and he was desperate to start a family.”

Last month, Brand also hinted that he and Laura would be raising their child gender-neutral. “We don’t know the gender I may not even ever impose a gender upon it, let the child grow up and be the whatever the hell it is, never tell it there is such a concept.”

More: Russell Brand gets engaged to girlfriend Laura Gallacher