AS the Oscars struggles to find a new host, BAFTA is sticking by its ritual of keeping with the same name.

Joanna Lumley, who hosted the film awards for the first time in 2018 after regular Stephen Fry stepped down, is now set to return in 2019.

The news was announced Wednesday, along with the BAFTA venue, which once again will be London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. For the third year, Cirque de Soleil, which will be in residence at the Royal Albert Hall at the time, will perform a piece especially created for the ceremony.

“We’re delighted to be returning to the iconic Royal Albert Hall for the third year and collaborating again with Cirque du Soleil,” said BAFTA’s director of awards Emma Baehr. “We’re thrilled that Joanna has agreed to return as our host for a second year, she was fantastic and we’re looking forward to the ceremony with her once again at the helm.”

The BAFTA awards will take place Feb. 10. The rising star nominations are announced Jan 3, and the full nominations will be announced Jan. 9.

(SD-Agencies)

Joanna Lumley