The actor will present the ceremony on 18 February at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in London.

Tennant said he was "delighted" to "help celebrate the very best of this year's films and the many brilliant people who bring them to life".

BAFTA chief executive, Jane Millichip, said Tennant will make the awards ceremony "a must-watch show" with his "warmth, charm and mischievous wit".

She said: "We are over the moon that David Tennant will be our host. He is deservedly beloved by British and international audiences alike."

She added: "More than 7,500 of our BAFTA members - creatives from all corners of the British and global film industry - have been voting over the holidays and we will be publishing their chosen longlists later today.

"We hope it will inspire people to watch more films and encourage everyone to join in the conversation on who should win a BAFTA next month."

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The longlists for all 24 categories of the awards, including Best Film, Director, Cinematography, Casting, Documentary, and Film Not in the English Language, will be published today. Nominations will follow on 18 January.

Tennant, who has starred in Broadchurch, Good Omens and Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire, is currently starring in a critically acclaimed version of Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse.