Late night chat show host Jimmy Kimmel has been selected to host the 2017 Oscars ceremony in February next year, it has been revealed.

It’s the first time that the 49 year old entertainer has been tapped to host the prestigious annual event, which will take place on February 26th at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on the ABC network. He has previously hosted the Emmys and the American Music Awards on more than one occasion.

Jimmy KimmelJimmy Kimmel will be hosting the 89th Oscars ceremony in 2017

The presenter of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on ABC since 2003, Kimmel had previously been thought to be out of the running to host next year’s ceremony, following news that the Emmys had pulled in its lowest-ever ratings of 11.3 million when he hosted back in September, coupled with the duo of Michael de Luca and Jennifer Todd being announced as the 2017 Oscars’ producers.

However, back in February this year The Oscars itself also suffered its lowest audience figures for 11 years when Chris Rock fronted a ceremony that had already been engulfed in controversy over a lack of diversity – the much-reported #OscarsSoWhite incident.

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ABC chief Ben Sherwood publicly backed Kimmel for the responsibility earlier this year when the network extended its deal to broadcast the Oscars until 2028 after paying a reported $75 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“We thought Jimmy elevated the Emmys. We thought Jimmy has earned it and we’re very hopeful that Jimmy will get it,” said Sherwood in September shortly after Kimmel had won good reviews but low ratings for his performance.

Previous hosts of the Oscars include Ellen DeGeneres, Jon Stewart, Seth Macfarlane, Steve Martin and Neil Patrick Harris.

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