He will take back the BAFTA baton from Jonathan Ross who has hosted the awards for the last five years.

Stephen Fry is to return as the host of the 2012 BAFTAs, which will take place in London on February 12.

Fry first hosted the ceremony in 2001 and continued until 2006 when he stepped down, handing over the role to Jonathan Ross.

Fry said: “I had a marvellous time presenting the Film Awards for the first six years of the century. Hard as it may be for some characteristically sceptical Britons to believe, the BAFTAs have real kudos, reputation and cachet all over the world of film-making and I, old as I am, never cease to be shamelessly glamorised by the sight of so many legendary names who come every year as nominees and presenters.

Amanda Berry, CEO of BAFTA, said she was “absolutely thrilled” to welcome Fry back. “Stephen’s love of cinema, his keen sense of fun and his characteristic panache will be a huge draw for the biggest film night of 2012,” she added.

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