Ian Youngs
Entertainment and Arts Reporter, BBC News

If I peer around the velvet curtain, I can see the most glamorous queue in the world.

In fact there are two queues - one line of nominees and other celebrities (we've just had John Legend, Chrissy Tiegan, Pharrell Williams and Michael J Fox) to stand in front of the deep red backdrop to have their photos taken.

I can see the cast of Fences and Vince Vaughan waiting patiently.

And another line for the other guests who aren't famous and walk behind the backdrop and into the theatre.

Okay A-listers, we're only a few minutes in but you can already all go home.

Lion's eight-year-old star Sunny Puwar has officially won the red carpet.

Image source, Getty Images

Have a look at some of the stars that have walked the red carpet so far.

Just to warn you, we're in for a long night - the ceremony alone is at least three-and-a-half hours.

So we don't blame Chrissy Teigen for already starting to fall asleep on her husband John Legend while on the red carpet.

Image source, Getty Images

John Legend will be performing a song from the La La Land soundtrack during the ceremony. Chrissy told ABC News he's been practising for his big moment a great deal lately. She joked:

A number of stars, including Ethiopian-Irish actress Ruth Negga and model Karlie Kloss, have turned up on the red carpet wearing a blue ribbon. 

They're in support of the American Civil Liberties Union, which launched a campaign earlier this week to support its work protecting “individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and law of the US" for nearly 100 years, amidst Donald Trump’s immigration ban.  

Image source, AP

Image source, PA

Before things get busy, now is probably a good time for a bit of a recap of this year’s nominees.

If you’re pushed for time, here it is in summary: La La Land is the favourite to win basically everything.

But that doesn’t mean it’s actually *going* to win everything.

One category it’s much less likely to win is best actor – that seems to be a dead heat between Casey Affleck and Denzel Washington.

Then there’s the possibility that Moonlight could cause a huge upset and take best picture out of La La Land’s Ha Ha Hands. This is highly unlikely but not impossible, so be on the lookout.

Read more: Could Moonlight cause an Oscars upset?

BBC Radio 5live presenter Colin Paterson is in LA and has just finished hosting a special preview show, where a host of nominees and special guests dropped by on their way to the ceremony. 

Have a listen back to it below.

We're big fans of punctual celebrities here on the Oscars live page.

The likes of Isabelle Huppert and Hailee Steinfeld, however, aren't just punctual - they're actively early. Massive brownie points for them.

They are among the first to take to the red carpet, setting the bar very high in the glamour stakes...

Image source, PA

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, AP

Ian Youngs
Entertainment and Arts Reporter, BBC News

Everybody has to be in formal wear at the Oscars. The journalists, the AT&T guy who just came to fix the Daily Mail's wireless access.

 Even the bloke giving the red carpet one last vacuum. 

So who do you think is going to take home the little (but surprisingly heavy) gold man this year?

Get in touch and let us know your predictions, and your reactions as the winners are announced.

Email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk , tweet @BBCNewsEnts, external , or post a message on our Facebook page, external .

Ian Youngs
Entertainment and Arts Reporter, BBC News

My tuxedo is on. My shoes are polished. I think I've put my cummerbund on correctly.

I have a 15in-wide area in a line of press and photographers at the end of the red carpet. I'm at the beginning of the line - tucked behind a red velvet curtain, which makes it a little difficult to see who's coming.

But it's the Oscars red carpet. I'm not complaining. Let's get this show on the road.

Image source, Reuters

So, who is hosting the ceremony this year?

Here’s your first clue: He hosts the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live in the US.

Give up?

Okay, okay, we’ll tell you, it’s everyone's favourite host of Jimmy Kimmel Live, Jimmy Kimmel.

He announced he would be on hosting duties in December via Twitter, external .

His opening monologue should be interesting (cheeky? political?) – we’ll bring you the highlights from it as soon as he takes to the stage.

Read more: Jimmy Kimmel to host 2017 Oscars

Image source, Getty Images

Get the microwaveable popcorn out and reserve your place on the couch - or in bed given the time - the 2017 Oscars are finally here.

We’ve had months of build-up and more awards ceremonies than you can shake a stick at, but this is the big one.

We’ll be here with you throughout the night to bring you all the red carpet glamour from midnight onwards and then live updates of who’s winning what from when the ceremony starts at 01:30GMT.

Make sure you have plenty of caffeinated products to hand (we certainly do).

Stay tuned!