Neil Patrick Harris is to host the Tony Awards.

The How I Met Your Mother star will take control of proceedings at the annual ceremony, which recognizes the best of Broadway theatre, for a third time and he can't wait to helm the show again.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of this year's Tony Awards. Not only will I be shining a spotlight on the best that Broadway has to offer, but hopefully I'll score some free house seats to a show - or five!" he said in a statement.

Harris hosted the event last year and in 2009, a stint which earned him and the production team an Emmy Award. The 38-year-old star - who shot to fame as the titular character in hit TV series Doogie Howser, M.D. - is also established on Broadway and has had roles in the play Proof and the musicals Cabaret and Assassins.

The 2012 Tony Awards will broadcast live on CBS on June 10 from New York's Beacon Theater.