Katy Perry has sparked a marriage riddle after referring to Russell Brand as her "husband".

The US singer and British comedian got engaged last year, and were thought to be planning to marry in the autumn. Although both have jokingly discussed their nuptials, their actual plans for the big day are a closely-guarded secret.

However, during an appearance on a British talk show Perry let slip she is "married", sparking speculation the couple have already tied the knot. "Life's never dull with him - that's why I married him," Perry gushed to Graham Norton.

As the audience gasped, Perry quickly added: "That's why I'm marrying him!" She then refused to be drawn on the subject, or to clarify her romantic status. Earlier in the show, the 25-year-old called Brand's mum Barbara her "mother-in-law".

Brand is famed for being a womaniser, but says meeting Katy has changed him. He knew he wanted to be with her forever almost as soon as they met, explaining their first date was one of the strangest he has ever been on.

"I got really nervous on our first date - which never happens - and couldn't get my words out. I thought it was going really flat, so I knew I was either suffering from food poisoning or falling in love," he told British newspaper The Daily Mirror.

Brand was further assured he had made the right choice with Perry when he introduced her to Barbara. Although he admits the singer is a "big character", he says at home she is just normal.