With less than three months to go until the 91st Academy Awards take place, it has been officially confirmed that Kevin Hart will host next year’s glitzy ceremony.

Best known for his roles in Ride Along (2014) and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), the comedian-actor announced the news via his Instagram account saying it was the “opportunity of a lifetime”.

“For years, I have been asked if I would ever Host the Oscars and my answer was always the same…I said that it would be the opportunity of a lifetime for me as a comedian and that it will happen when it’s suppose to.

“I am so happy to say that the day has finally come for me to host the Oscars. I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a long time….To be able to join the legendary list of host that have graced that stage is unbelievable.

“I know my mom is smiling from ear to ear right now. I want to thank my family/friends/fans for supporting me & riding with me all this time….I will be sure to make this years Oscars a special one. I appreciate the @TheAcademy for the opportunity ….now it’s time to rise to the occasion.”

Hart’s involvement comes amid speculation that producers were having trouble finding anyone who wanted to follow this past year’s host Jimmy Kimmel, who saw ratings decline for the second year in a row as presenter.

The 91st Oscar ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on Sunday 24th February 2019.