Kathy Griffin to host Joan Rivers roast

Comedian Kathy Griffin will act as host for the Comedy Central network's roast of Joan Rivers.

The Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List star will be the first female roast master to lambaste a fellow female roastee in the history of the popular franchise of specials, TV Guide reports.

"It will be my distinct pleasure to honour a true comedy legend. The one and only, the great Joan Rivers," she said in a statement. "I mean, not that Pam Anderson wasn't a comedy legend or anything… Let's just say that it will be an evening of highs and lows."

The stars are friends in real-life, while Griffin added: "I will be roasting Joan with more gentleness and tenderness than her latest chemical peel."

Griffin recently revealed that she would trade her mum for an Emmy.