Nicole Richie's dad approves of Joel Madden

Nicole Richie's superstar dad Lionel approves of his daughter's fiance Joel Madden, he revealed to Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show this morning.

"This guy is so in tune with Nicole — I love him to death," Lionel - who has has his "fingers crossed" they'll get hitched said.

"I couldn't ask for a better guy!" he added. "If there is a matrimony down the line, you'll know it first 'cuz I'll be telling everybody!"

Of his new granddaughter Harlow, Lionel (who referred to himself as "G-Pa") said, "That baby is the sweetest, most beautiful baby. Nicole's kid is amazing."

Of Nicole, the 'All Night Long' star said she "has turned into a full-fledged mom. It's the most frightening thing in the world because you keep thinking, 'Are you going out?' And [she's like], 'No, dad, can't go out! She has another feeding — I have to be right here!'"

Lionel said he learned of Richie's pregnancy "15 seconds after she knew it," he gushed.

"Nicole and I are very close. She presents everything to me as, 'Oh, my God, dad, you're not going to believe this!

"I sat down and said, 'How bad is it?' She said, 'I'm pregnant!' I said, 'Oh, my God!' and got tears in my eyes."

Lionel said the "funniest picture" was Nicole after she gave birth.

"She had this look of her face," Lionel recalled, "and I said, 'And it doesn't come with a manual!'"