Martin and Baldwin to host Oscars

The 82nd Academy Awards will be held on 7 March

Comedian Steve Martin and actor Alec Baldwin are to share hosting duties at the 82nd Academy Awards.

Martin previously hosted the show in 2001 and 2003 while Baldwin was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar in 2004 for The Cooler.

Martin said he was "happy to co-host the Oscars with my enemy Alec Baldwin".

The ceremony, on 7 March, will be the first to be presented by more than one host since Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn and Paul Hogan shared the stage in 1987.

Steve anchors it in so much tradition and Alec, besides being a former Oscar nominee, he is just hot, hot, hot right now Co-producer Adam Shankman

Referring to Martin's sideline as a musician, 30 Rock star Baldwin said: "I don't play the banjo but I'm thrilled to be hosting the Oscars - it's the opportunity of a lifetime."

Co-producer Adam Shankman said: "Very early on, we talked about a pairing as part of our concept of the show, having tradition and also freshness walking hand in hand.

"Steve anchors it in so much tradition and Alec, besides being a former Oscar nominee, he is just hot, hot, hot right now."

He said the two actors "adore each other".

Last year's host Hugh Jackman performed with Beyonce

Academy spokeswoman Leslie Unger said it was the first time the show would be co-hosted by two presenters "in the modern television era".

The inaugural Oscars ceremony, in 1929, was presented by a pair of hosts - Academy president Douglas Fairbanks and vice president William DeMille.

Last year's host, X-Men star Hugh Jackman, provided musical interludes which included a duet with Beyonce.

The nominees for the awards, to be held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angles, will be announced on 2 February.

The number of best picture nominees is to be doubled from five to 10 in an effort to include more commercial films to attract a bigger TV audience.