Everything you need to know about 2018’s BRIT Awards host Jack Whitehall

Comedian Jack Whitehall is following in the footsteps of much-loved British comedians including James Corden, Ant and Dec, and Russell Brand to take the reigns as this year's host of the 2018 BRIT awards. If the 'posh boy' of comedy’s previous presenting stints are anything to go by, we’re in for an entertaining night. 

Born in the Portland Hospital in the City of Westminster to parents Michael Whitehall, an agent for stars such as Judi Dench and Colin Firth, and actress Hilary Gish, Whitehall had stardom in his sights early on. Attending Tower House School in west London alongside Twilight star Robert Pattinson – which has inevitably provided comedic material for his stand-up shows – while also working as a child actor in a variety of television dramas, it was his passion for stand-up comedy that pushed him to pursue this as his chosen career avenue. He took part in the show So You Think You’re Funny, getting to the final stages, but his big break came taking over from Russell Brand presenting Big Brother's sister show Big Brother’s Big Mouth in 2009.

Whitehall has graced our screens in a number of hit TV sitcoms that have earned him the status as a household name, including self-penned Fresh Meat and BBC Three’s school-themed sitcom Bad Education. Having been crowned ‘King of Comedy’ at the British Comedy Awards three consecutive years (2012 – 2014), it’s his talent for writing that’s really defined his career – and some of his most successful work has been self-written, including 2015's big-screen hit The Bad Education Movie, co-written with Freddy Syborn. Another Hollwood project where the comic swapped the small screen for big was for Disney Pixar flick Frozen, in which he provided a cameo as the voice of Gothi the troll priest. >>

Related: The BRIT Trust: Everything you need to know

Whitehall has also lent his comedic talent to a fair share of panel shows, including 8 Out of 10 Cats and Never Mind The Buzzcocks, but most notably as a panelist on sporting quiz A League of Their Own presented by James Corden. Most recently, jovial Whitehall has partnered with his ‘stuffy’ father Michael – making for some highly entertaining series. The pair presented Backchat, a comedy chat show consisting of games and quizzes with celebrity guests from 2013, before a second project for Netflix, Travels with my Father, followed Whitehall and his father as they travel through South East Asia in an attempt to strengthen their bond with hilarious results. 

Whitehall is currently single but dated Humans actress Gemma Chan for six years from 2011 after meeting her on set of Fresh Meat, but as a result of hectic filming schedules, the pair called it a day in 2017. The 29-year-old has embarked on a series of successful stand-up solo tours during his career, so we can’t wait to see how he brings his unique charm and comedy to the BRITs show. 

Tempus is proud to be headline partner of the BRITs Official Aftershow Party 2018. Discover more here.