Deayton new host of Comedy Awards

Deayton left Have I Got News For You? in 2002

Angus Deayton has been named as the host of this year's Comedy Awards after Jonathan Ross stepped down in the wake of the Andrew Sachs phone call row.

Deayton left quiz show Have I Got News For You? in 2002 following newspaper allegations about his private life.

He has since gone on to work on programmes like ITV1's Hell's Kitchen and BBC Two comedy series Nighty Night.

Guy Freeman, controller of ITV music & events, said: "Angus is simply one of the best."

He added: "We always hoped that he would agree to take on the challenge of hosting one of TV's toughest gigs, and now we're thrilled that he has."

Ross decided not to present the annual Comedy awards after the BBC suspended him for three months.

However, he is nominated for best comedy show at the event, which will be shown on ITV1 and ITV2 on 6 December.