Actor Steve Martin will host the 75th anniversary Oscars in Los Angeles next year.

Martin takes up the role for the second time, taking over from Whoopi Goldberg.

"I'm very pleased to be hosting the Oscars again, because fear and nausea always make me lose weight," said Martin.

Gil Cates, producer of the Academy Awards, said: "The 75th Anniversary show is a meaningful one for the Academy, and it is wonderful to work with a host who's done it before.

'Delight'

"A host who's witty, clever, sharp, intelligent, quick on his feet and always on top of the unfolding action. Wait, I've forgotten something. Oh yeah, and outrageously funny.

"He's also a gentleman, a gentle man and a delight to work with."

Martin has also presented awards in six previous Oscar shows and introduced a best picture clip at the 69th ceremony in 1997.

Martin recently completed filming the Disney comedy Bringing Down the House, with co-stars Queen Latifah and Eugene Levy.

Hosting the Academy Awards is one of the most prestigious television jobs in the US, but one fraught with dangers.

Performing live in front of millions in the US and globally and having to be both funny and professional can be a taxing time.

Landmark win

Martin joked at the 73rd Oscars: "Hosting the Oscars is like making love to a beautiful woman. It's something I only get to do when Billy Crystal's out of town."

Last year Halle Berry and Denzel Washington won Oscars for best actress and actor in a landmark win for black stars at the Academy Awards.

The Academy Awards take place on 23 March at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.