Dara O'Briain to host BAFTAs

It's been announced that comedian Dara O'Briain will host the gaming BAFTAs in March.

O'Briain, also host of BBC 2 comedy show Mock the Week, hosted the event last year.

He said: "I am delighted to have been asked back to host the GAME BAFTA’s for the second year running. It’s an honour to acclaim the very real people whose creativity, innovation and wit produce such amazing virtual worlds"

Awesome.

The event takes place on March 19. Nominations are announced on February 16.

PR below.

MOCK THE WEEK'S DARA O'BRIAIN TO HOST THE 2010 AWARDS

Celebrated comedian and gamer to take the mike for the second year running

London, 26 January 2010: Comedian and avid gamer Dara O’Briain, is set to host the 2010 GAME British Academy Video Games Awards for the second time.

Arguably the most successful Irish comedian to have hit the UK for a decade, O’Briain has hosted and appeared on a number of TV shows, and toured extensively across England and Ireland. He has currently just commenced his 2010 UK tour.

O’Briain who is a lifelong gamer said, “I am delighted to have been asked back to host the GAME BAFTA’s for the second year running. It’s an honour to acclaim the very real people whose creativity, innovation and wit produce such amazing virtual worlds”.

Ray Maguire, Chairman of the Video Games Committee said “It is fantastic to have Dara hosting again this year. It makes a huge difference when a host understands games and Dara does, he is also brilliantly funny!”

The GAME British Academy Video Games Awards will take place on Friday, March 19 at the London Hilton on Park Lane, with the nominations being announced on Tuesday 16 Ferbuary. The awards will be streamed live for the first time at www.bafta.org and www.baftagameaward.com