Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw to host 2013 Brit nominations

Radio 1's breakfast show DJ Nick Grimshaw will host the nominations launch for the Brit Awards 2013 in the new year.

Further details have been announced about next year's awards, which will be held on Wednesday 20 February.

For the third year in a row, actor and comedian James Corden will host the ceremony at the O2 Arena in London.

It will be his fourth time in the role in total, matching TV and radio presenter Chris Evans' record.

Nick Grimshaw will take centre stage at The Savoy Hotel in central London to host the nominations launch on 10 January.

It comes two months after he took on the role of Radio 1's breakfast show host.

James Corden will host the 2013 Brit Awards on Wednesday 20 February

A spokesperson for the Brits said 2013 would see the ceremony build on changes that have been brought in over the last two years "to deliver a show like never before".

Artist Damien Hirst has been given the task of designing the statue for next year.

He is known for featuring a rotting cow's head and preserved sharks in previous work.

Brits Chairman David Joseph described him as "one of the most important artists ever".

"His unique vision will make winning a 2013 Brit an even more special proposition," he said.

Officials say 7.8 million people watched the television coverage of the awards last year, its highest figures since 2005.

They also say the two big winners on the night, Adele and Ed Sheeran, both saw their albums return to the top three.