Jack Whitehall is to host the Brit Awards in 2018.

Jack Whitehall

Jack Whitehall

The 29-year-old comedian was among the contenders lined up to present the annual awards ceremony earlier this year after singer Michael Buble was forced to pull out following his son's cancer diagnosis, but the coveted job eventually went to Dermot O'Leary and Emma Willis.

Now though, the 'Bad Education star has been given his chance to host the event and he is "thrilled" to be master of ceremonies, describing the Brits as "the kind of show you dream of hosting as a kid, so [I'm] really excited to have been asked".

Brit Awards chairman Jason Iley said the 'Fresh Meat' star - who previously presented an award with Jessie J in 2012 - is expected to bring his "enormous enthusiasm, charisma, fun and passion" to the show.

The Brits 2018 will be held at London's O2 Arena on 21 February, celebrating the biggest successes in pop over the past year.

The panel have just begun voting and nominations will be announced in January, with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and Rag N Bone Man all expected to feature.

R&B singer Jorja Smith has already been announced as the winner of the Critics' Choice prize, which recognises emerging talent and in the past has gone to the likes of Adele, Ellie Goulding and Sam Smith.

The 2018 Brit statuettes will be designed by artist Anish Kapoor.

Past hosts have included Russell Brand, The Osbourne family, Sir Elton John and infamously former Page 3 girl Samantha Fox with Mick Fleetwood in 1989.

James Corden won critical acclaim for his hosting skills in 2011 and is the only person to have hosted the ceremony five times, including his joint-hosting with Mat Horne and Kylie Minogue in 2009.

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