Melissa Rivers has been confirmed as the new host of 'Fashion Police'.

Melissa Rivers

Melissa Rivers

The 47-year-old producer has agreed to follow in her late mother Joan Rivers' footsteps on the E! show, where she will be joined by returning panelists Giuliana Rancic - who caused controversy in the last series by saying Zendaya Coleman's dreadlocks made her look like she smelled "of weed" - and Brad Gorescki.

Melissa said in a statement: "I'm very excited to be given the opportunity to continue to work with my E! and 'Fashion Police' family."

The trio will be joined by two guest presenters every week, and the show will return on August 31 with coverage of the MTV Video Music Awards.

Jeff Olde, executive vice president of programming and development for E!, said: "As an executive producer since the beginning, Melissa helped shape 'Fashion Police' into an iconic TV series that couples fashion with comedy.

"We are pleased to now also feature Melissa in front of the 'Fashion Police' cameras, as she joins returning panelists Giuliana and Brad. And with the added flavor of rotating panelists, the show will deliver fresh, different and unpredictable fashion reviews with each new episode."

Melissa's appointment comes after the future of the show was in doubt following the departure of Kelly Osbourne - who quit over Giuliana's comments - and Kathy Griffin, who quit as Joan's replacement after just seven episodes.

It was previously claimed Melissa saw joining the panel of the show would be a fitting "tribute" to her late mother, who died from complications from surgery last September.

A source said: "Melissa's going on. She is so happy, she is excited. The idea actually came from her. The bosses like it. It'll be a tribute to her mom, and Melissa's the one who understands how it's done. She can pull it off."

Tagged in