With just weeks to go until the Tes FE Awards 2018, anticipation in the sector is building.
More than 100 providers, individuals and teams are in the running for the 17 awards, which are being held in association with the Education and Training Foundation.
The full shortlist can be viewed here.
And Tes can reveal that the host for the glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House hotel in London on Friday 23 February will be comedian, actor and TV presenter Alan Davies.
Alan is a team captain on BBC comedy series QI - and also plays the title role in long-running drama series Jonathan Creek.
Following a successful career as a stand-up comedian, Alan has starred in Jonathan Creek since 1997, helping it win a Bafta for best drama series in 1998.
He has hosted and appeared in numerous TV and radio shows since then. Most recently, he has been the host of The Dog Rescuers for Channel 5 and chat show Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled for Dave.
Former college student
Alan will help to present awards in all our categories, including teacher of the year, FE leader of the year and overall FE provider of the year. He has first-hand experience of the FE sector, having been a student at Loughton College of Further Education - now Epping Forest College.
Individuals and institutions across the UK submitted more than 440 entries for the Tes FE Awards - a new record and up by a quarter from last year.
Tickets for the awards are still available, with early-bird rates on offer until 19 January. For more information, visit the official awards website.
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