Barrymore: 'I'm Jedward's real father'

Michael Barrymore has claimed to be John & Edward's real father during an appearance on Irish television.

The presenter shocked members of the audience with the joke on last weekend's Saturday Night Show.

"I happen to know their mother very well," he told the show's host Brendan O'Connor. "Extremely well, and if you look very closely.

"Seriously, how old are the boys? Aged about 18 now... I can't remember. I send them maintenance money. I don't wish to shock, I know the father is sitting there wishing they were his."

"We should just say that is not legally true!" O'Connor quickly interjected.

Barrymore added: "How dare you take my children away from me? Outrageous."

The 57-year-old proceeded to kiss the twins' mother, who was in the audience to watch her sons perform on the programme.

During the interview, Barrymore also suggested that he is the leader of the sheep society, bursting into song: "Sheep, may be the face I can't regret. Baaaa. May be the mirror of regret. Baaaaa."