Jack Whitehall will take the reins on The Graham Norton Show for one night only as the host misses his first show in 20 years.
The comedian will stand in for the presenter on May 17, while Norton jets off to Tel Aviv for the Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place the following day.
Norton said he is “thrilled” for Whitehall – but warned him not to get “too comfortable” in his chair.
“I’m thrilled to know that I am leaving the show in Jack’s capable hands. He is bound to do an amazing job,” Norton said. “I should warn him not to get too comfortable in my chair though, because like a slightly fey Terminator, I’ll be back!”
An eager Whitehall said that he was “so honoured” to be put forward for the challenge and joked: “Worst case, I will make everyone appreciate just how lucky we are to have him.”
He said: “I was so honoured Graham asked me to do this for him. The thought of stepping into his huge showbiz boots fills me in equal measure with fear and excitement.”
Guests set to join Whitehall for the special episode include Luke Evans, Paloma Faith and Gwendoline Christie.
The revelation comes a day after Countdown’s Rachel Riley, Sharon Osbourne and Stephen Fry joined a slate of stars who offered their support for the popular contest to be held in Israel.
Last year Israeli entrant Netta took home the winning title with her song TOY, giving the country the responsibility of hosting the showcase this year.
Despite criticism from groups calling on the BBC to urge the European Broadcasting Union to move the show to “a country where crimes against freedom are not being committed”, the platform said it was “not appropriate to use their participation for political reasons”.
Rachel Riley, Sharon Osbourne and Stephen Fry are among more than 100 names urging support for the final in Israel.
The 64th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Tel Aviv, Israel from May 14 to May 18. The UK will be represented by Michael Rice in the final, broadcast on BBC One.
