Stephen Colbert is to host the 2017 Emmy Awards.

Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert

Broadcaster's CBS announced on Monday (23.01.17) that the 52-year-old comedian has landed the prestigious role to head up the 69th annual primetime ceremony next autumn.

Mocking the newly-elected President of America, Donald Trump's statement that his inauguration was the most-watched ever, 'The Late Show' host said: "This will be the largest audience to witness an Emmys, period.

"Both in person and around the globe."

Jack Sussman, a CBS executive, added: "Stephen is the ultimate master of ceremonies with award-winning creative talents, he has a fearless passion for live television."

Colbert proceeds Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the ceremony last year on ABC.

The political satirist's past hosting duties have included the 39th Annual Kennedy Centre Honors, which were broadcast on CBS.

This year's Emmys will take place on September 17 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Nominations are expected to be announced on July 13.

2016's ceremony was a big year for 'Game of Thrones' as the popular HBO series broke a record at the bash after it was crowned Best Drama for the second year in a row.

The fantasy drama managed to pick up 12 out of the 24 awards it was nominated for but, despite missing out on half of the gongs it was up for, it still managed to break a record by taking its total ever number of Emmys to 39 - beating the sitcom 'Frasier' by just one with its impressive 38 trophies.

Other winners included 'Downton Abbey's Dame Maggie Smith, 'The Voice USA' and 'The Night Manager'.

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