Channel 4 confirms Jonathan Ross as British Comedy Awards host

Channel 4 has today confirmed that Jonathan Ross will continue to host the British Comedy Awards, days after securing a three-year deal to broadcast the show after a 20-year run on ITV . The awards ceremony, created by veteran producer Michael Hurll and made by independent producer Unique Television, has traditionally been presented by Ross, apart from in 2008 when Angus Deayton hosted it after Ross stepped back following the row over his controversial Radio 2 broadcast with Russell Brand. In 2007 the British Press Awards was not broadcast by ITV1 following phone-voting problems . Channel 4, which is seen as a more natural home for the awards, with its reputation for risqué on-air incidents, has said that it will "revert to a post-watershed live broadcast, injecting spontaneity, excitement and edge into the new-look awards show". "The British Comedy Awards is national institution, and Jonathan Ross is an enormous part of what makes it such a consistently must-watch event," said the Channel 4 head of comedy, Shane Allen. "We are thrilled that he will host our reinvigorated coverage." • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".