Comic Stewart will present Oscars

Stewart has appeared in movies including horror film The Faculty

US comedian Jon Stewart will host this year's Oscars, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced.

The 43-year-old Daily Show host, who has won seven Emmys, follows 2005's presenter Chris Rock. The ceremony will take place on 5 March.

"Jon is the epitome of a perfect host - smart, engaging, irreverent and funny," producer Gil Cates said.

"As an avid watcher of the Oscars, I can't help but be a little disappointed with the choice," Stewart joked.

"It appears to be another sad attempt to smoke out Billy Crystal."

Book prize

Stewart won the 2005 Thurber Prize for his Daily Show spin-off book A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction.

He has also appeared in several movies including horror film The Faculty, Death to Smoochy and Big Daddy.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is broadcast by Comedy Central in the US and in the UK on digital channel More4.

Stewart follows a long line of stand-up comedians who have hosted the Oscars, including Bob Hope, Johnny Carson and Whoopi Goldberg.