James Corden to host 2016 Tony Awards

British funnyman James Corden has been tapped to host this year's Tony Awards in New York.

The Into The Woods star, who hosts The Late Late Show in America, will return to the Beacon Theatre, where he won a Best Leading Actor Tony in 2012 for his performance in One Man, Two Guvnors, to front the Broadway prizegiving in June (16).

"James is one of those rare performers whose gifts translate perfectly to both the Broadway stage and the television screen," said Charlotte St Martin, president of the Broadway League. "The last time he was at the Tonys, he went home with one. We think he'll have even more fun as host."

Corden, who previously fronted the Brit Awards in London, will succeed Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming, the co-hosts of last year's (15) Tonys.