British comedian Russell Brand is to host this year's MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) in Los Angeles.
The 33-year-old is still relatively unknown in the US, where the ceremony will be held on 7 September.
Brand recently co-starred in the comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall and is currently filming the Adam Sandler comedy Bedtime Stories.
Previous VMA hosts include actor Jack Black, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon and Jamie Foxx.
Teenage pop trio The Jonas Brothers will play at the event, while other performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.
'Televised insanity'
Brand said it would be "good to Leno to leave Tonight in May 2009 ...
Madeleine suspect in damages win ...
Government starts data mash-up ...
Rapper West scoops two BET awards ...
Heston theft woman sent to prison ...
Czech Radio celebrates its birthday ... preside over what is sure to be only vaguely co-ordinated televised insanity".
He went on: "That's how I've made my name in this country: flying very much by the seat - and the crotch - of my pants."
Brand is a former MTV host in the UK and has presented numerous TV shows and events, as well as a regular programme on BBC Radio 2.
He has also performed sell-out comedy gigs and wrote a best-selling memoir, My Booky Wook, which was published last year.
Last year he made his feature film debut as Flash Harry in St Trinian's, opposite Colin Firth, Rupert Everett and Emily Watson.
(BBC)
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