Sharon and Ozzy to host The Brits 2008

Husband and wife team Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne will host the next Brit Awards, it has been confirmed.

The flamboyant couple will present the glittering music awards bash, which is being broadcast live on ITV1 for a second year running.

Sharon, currently a judge on The X Factor, and rocker Ozzy are bound to cause trouble ahead of the 9pm watershed, when the show goes out, with their tendency to use swear words.

Earlier in 2007, Russell Brand sparked controversy when he made risque references to 'intimate parts of the human body', drugs, Iraq, the Queen and Robbie Williams.

There were more than 500 complaints about the jokes and swearing which took place live on air before the 9pm watershed.

Sharon said on Thursday: "Ozzy and I have been asked to host many awards shows in the past but this is by far the most prestigious and meaningful, especially for Ozzy as it's about the music.

"Ozzy and I are proud to be Brits and are both incredibly honoured to have been asked to help celebrate the best in music."

Ged Doherty, Chairman of the Brits committee, said: "Rock 'n' roll, glamour, humour and a touch of the unexpected. Sharon and Ozzy will bring all this to the Brits and more. I can't wait."

The Brits take place at Earls Court on February 20, after the nominations are announced at London's Roundhouse on January 14.

A Brits spokesman denied a previous report that Brand had been expected to return to host the 2008 show.