‘I always end up putting my foot in it’

Comic and actor Jack Whitehall, 31, is on hand to add some humour to proceedings as the host of this year’s star-studded BRIT Awards…

How does it feel to be back?

I’m delighted to be back hosting for a third time. I’m certain that I’ll have an exciting intro to the show – but no matter how much I try to tell myself to behave, I always end up putting my foot in it at the last minute…

Do you give yourself a pep talk? There are do’s and don’ts of hosting on the night. The “do” is most definitely “make sure you have something up your sleeve if something goes wrong!”

Are you nervous about anything? I’m nervous about upsetting the fans of a pop act – because it turns out they can be quite vicious on social media…

What sort of prep goes into

The BRIT Awards?

The show will be very different this year. The rumours I’ve heard are very exciting – it’s shaping up to be a great show. And there are nods to it being a big anniversary year as well, which I think people will enjoy. What is your favourite thing about the night?

I do think it’s genuinely one of the few shows that still has a little bit of anarchy to it. And I’ve only got to do like six more now and I will equal James Corden’s record [Corden hosted the ceremony solo between 2011-2014].

Are you angling to perform your own musical number?

Two years now, I’ve tried to sing at the beginning of the show, and both times I’ve been told I can’t. Last year, I was meant to be duetting with Hugh Jackman, but was demoted to backing dancer. It still hurts. So, hopefully this year I’ll be able to elbow my way to the front of the stage – and make it all about me.