Ellen DeGeneres to host Oscars

Ellen DeGeneres will host next year's Oscars. The comedian and talk show host will follow in the footsteps of previous presenters including Billy Crystal, Bob Hope, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock and Jon Stewart. In a statement, Ellen admitted she was "thrilled" to be asked to host the prestigious ceremony next February. She said: "When the Oscars producer Laura Ziskin called, I was thrilled. "There are two things I've always wanted to do in my life. One is to host the Oscars. The second is to get a call from Laura Ziskin. You can imagine that day's diary entry." Ziskin has explained why the producers wanted Ellen for the event. She revealed: "Ellen was born to host the Academy Awards.

"There is no more challenging hosting job in show business. It requires someone who can keep the show alive and fresh and moving, as well as someone who is a flat-out great entertainer. Ellen completely fits the bill."

Although it will be the first time Ellen has hosted the Oscars, she is no stranger to the big screen herself.

The gay comic has starred in a host of hit films, including 'Finding Nemo', in which she voiced the character of Dory, 'EDtv' and the romantic comedy 'Mr Wrong'.

The 79th annual Academy Awards will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on February 25 2007.