Catherine Tate to host 2018 Olivier Awards

Catherine Tate will host the 42nd annual Olivier Awards in April.

Tate is known for her comedy work, her roles in Assassins and The Vote and for starring alongside David Tennant in both Doctor Who and onstage in Much Ado About Nothing, as well as one of the presenters of Shakespeare Live! From the RSC on BBC Two.

She said: "Theatre has always been a big love of mine both as a performer and as an audience member. For me, it’s the shared experience that can’t be beaten. The memories I have of theatre stay with me long after the show has ended, even the productions I caught as a child, such is the power of this wonderful medium!"

The Awards nominees will be announced live on Facebook at 1pm on 6 March, ahead of the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 8 April.

The winners of the Awards' Be Inspired search, voted for by the public and industry, have also been announced. Ballet teacher Angela Allport, accessible theatre campaigner and reviewer Pippa Stacey, youth theatre director Cheryl Govan and editor of The Musical Theatre Appreciation Society social media platforms Willy Mukendi will receive their awards during a red carpet ceremony on the night of the awards.