Joe Lycett began performing stand-up whole studying drama and English at the University of Manchester.

His first gig was at the Comedy Store in Manchester in February 2008, and the following year he won the Chortle Student Comedy Award. In 2010, he was named best newcomer in the Chortle Awards, and in 2012 was nominated for the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for Some Lycett Hot.

On TV, Lycett has appeared on programmes including Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You?, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Taskmaster and The Great British Bake Off celebrity specials. From 2019 to 2021 he presented The Great British Sewing Bee, taking over from Claudia Winkleman

He also created and presented the consumer affairs series Joe Lycett's Got Your Back, which aired from 2019 to 2024, the same year he launched the late-night entertainment programme Late Night Lycett.

Alongside his comedy and broadcasting work, Lycett has published books and undertaken public campaigns on consumer, sociald environmental issues.