Ciara and Ludacris to host 2016 Billboard Music Awards

Ciara is set to front the upcoming 2016 Billboard Music Awards with returning host Ludacris.

The Goodies singer is joining the rapper/actor, who is hosting the music show for the third consecutive year, to present the annual prizegiving at the brand new concert venue, the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas on 22 May (16).

"The Billboard Music Awards is one of best awards shows to honour chart success," Ciara says in a statement.

"My great friend Ludacris and I have also shared songs together on the Billboard chart... I look forward to sharing the stage with him on this special night. It will definitely be a night to remember!"

Ludacris, who appeared on Ciara's single track Oh, added it was "a pleasure to host with my good friend Ciara" and he was looking forward to presenting from "a new and exciting venue."

The hosting job comes just weeks after the R&B singer announced her engagement to football star Russell Wilson in March (16).

Nominations for six Billboard Music Awards will be announced on Good Morning America on Monday (11Apr16), while the remaining categories will be announced via social media and on ABC News.

Taylor Swift was the big winner of the 2015 ceremony - she scooped eight awards including Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album for 1989 and the Billboard Chart Achievement Award.

She also went public with her romance with Scottish DJ Calvin Harris by hugging and kissing him as she discovered she had won a prize. The couple recently celebrated their one-year anniversary with an exotic vacation.