LOS ANGELES - AUSTRALIAN heart-throb Hugh Jackman is the surprise choice to host next year's Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed on Friday.

A spokesman for the Academy confirmed 40-year-old Jackman would front the awards show at the Kodak Theater on February 22, breaking with a long-held tradition of having comedians or comic actors as hosts.

Jackman was recently voted the 'Sexiest Man Alive' by People magazine and is currently starring alongside Nicole Kidman as a beefy cattle driver in Baz Luhrmann's sweeping romantic epic 'Australia'.

'Hugh Jackman is a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star,' Oscars show producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon said in a joint statement.

'He also has style, elegance and a sense of occasion. Hugh is the ideal choice to host a celebration of the year's movies - and to have fun doing it.'

Jackman first rose to international recognition with his role as Wolverine in the trilogy of successful 'X-Men' films based on the Marvel comics.

He also starred as a vampire hunter in the 'Van Helsing' films and has completed filming on the 'X-Men' spin-off 'Wolverine'.

Last year's Oscars were hosted by political funnyman Jon Stewart, while the 2007 event was fronted by comedienne Ellen DeGeneres.

Jackman won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in stage play 'The Boy from Oz'.

He also served as host of the Tony Awards ceremony - a performance which earned him an Emmy award in 2005. -- AFP