Jason Manford to host the 2019 Olivier Awards

This year's Olivier Awards host has been announced.

Jason Manford, who previously hosted in 2017, will return to front the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 7 April, during which winners of the annual theatre awards will be revealed.

Manford, who has starred in hit productions of Sweeney Todd, The Producers and a wide array of TV shows including Live At The Apollo and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, will succeed Catherine Tate as host. It was recently announced that he would be leading a new revival of Kander and Ebb musical Curtains, which embarks on a major tour this autumn.

He said: "I'm absolutely chuffed to bits to be back hosting the Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. Having worked in theatres all across the country doing both stand-up and musicals for the last 20 years, I know the hard work that goes into putting on a show."

The Olivier Award nominees will be announced at 1pm on 5 March.