Russell Brand has become a father

Actor and comedian Russell Brand.

Russell Brand has become a father for the first time.

The 41-year-old comic told the audience at his gig at the Nottingham Playhouse, East Midlands, that he had to rush off after the show to get back to fiancee Laura Gallacher and their new baby, though he didn't reveal if the tot is a girl or a boy.

Fan Daniel Crann, 29, told Mirror Celeb: "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'."

Another source told the website the baby was born late last week.

The Get Him to the Greek star previously spoke of how excited he felt at becoming a father.

He said recently: "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."

And Russell - who was previously wed to pop superstar Katy Perry - revealed it is Laura who makes all the important decisions around the house, and his opinion is "secondary".

He said: "[Laura is] decorating the nursery. Around domestic issues, my vote is often secondary ... Or the vote of my gender at least, so I will just wait to see what is determined."

The pair now live in the countryside and keep chickens, something which the Arthur actor says suits him as he's "much happier" with his current lifestyle than he was when he was playing the fame game in London.

He said: "It is very calm. I look at the chickens; they hatch some eggs. Basically I'm like a village idiot - just looking at livestock.

"There is constant conflict between the primal drives: the drive to procreate, the drive to survive, and the drive to have status. But I am no longer deluded as to what may provide happiness.

"I'm so much happier over the course of the day to see one or two people and a few chickens, that's a good way of living."

- Bang! Showbiz