Oscars 2019: Kevin Hart confirms he will host Academy Awards in 'opportunity of a lifetime'

He takes over from Jimmy Kimmel

(Rex Features)

Kevin Hart has been announced as the host of the 2019 Academy Awards.

The comedian described the stint as “an opportunity of a lifetime” while confirming the news in an Instagram post on Tuesday (4 December).

“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 this stage is unbelievable,” Hart wrote. “I know my mom is smiling from ear to ear right now."

He ensured he will make the ceremony "a special one".

Hart, whose credits include Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, expressed interest in becoming Oscars host in an interview last year and had been rumoured to take over from Jimmy Kimmel who has led proceedings for the past two year's running.

Kimmel, who was hosting the ceremony during the infamous snafu which saw the wrong Best Picture winner announced, congratulated his successor on Twitter, adding that the Academy had made "an excellent choice".

Hart previously described hosting the Oscars as "...something I would definitely do just to say I did it in my career. It would be great to say I had that moment.”

Most recently, Hart co-starred alongside Tiffany Haddish in Night School, one of the year's most bankable comedies.

Previous Oscar hosts include Bob Hope, Billy Crystal and Ellen DeGeneres.