Another day, another Apple tablet “confirmation” making the rounds. This time it comes by way of France Telecom, whose executive claims the tablet will debut in the “next couple of days.”

TechCrunch is reporting that France Telecom (aka Orange) executive Stéphane Richard this morning “confirmed” in an on-air interview that Apple’s famed tablet device is set to debut in the “next couple of days” -- presumably meaning at the Jan. 27 event already scheduled.

Here’s an English translation of the relevant part of the conversation with French journalist Jean-Pierre Elkabbach:

Jean-Pierre Elkabbach: According to weekly Le Point, in a couple of days Apple will be launching its tablet computer …
Stéphane Richard: Yes.
Jean-Pierre Elkabbach: … equipped with a webcam.
Stéphane Richard: Yes.
Jean-Pierre Elkabbach: Are Orange customers going to be able to enjoy it?
Stéphane Richard: Of course!

Richard, the number two chief at the French communications giant, appears a bit caught off-guard on the video of the event posted at NowhereElse.fr. (If you speak French, you can hit the link and scan to about 6:10 to see for yourself.) Of course, Richard could also simply be referring to existing rumors about the Apple tablet since he doesn’t reveal any new information.

At this point, we figure that whatever Apple plans to announce on Jan. 27, could it ever live up to the hype being bandied about?

Update: To the surprise of almost no one, Orange’s PR department has stepped forward and dismissed Richard’s tablet comments, according to PaidContent UK: “These responses in now way reflect Orange’s confirmation of the existence of the rumoured device. The spokesperson was merely confirming that he is aware of the speculation surrounding a launch and that Orange would be delighted to have such a product were it ever to be available.”

Short version: “A few comments taken out of context, then interpreted into English.” Just goes to show you how much the tablet hype engine is in overdrive...