Why did Kevin Hart quit the Oscars hosting gig and did he apologise?
IN December Kevin Hart stood down as host of the 2019 Academy Awards amid controversy over alleged homophobic tweets.
The comedian made the announcement on Twitter, saying he did not want the alleged offensive posts to be a "distraction on the night". Here's what we know about the incident.
Why did Kevin Hart quit the Oscars hosting gig and did he apologise?
On December 7, 2018, Kevin Hart announced on Twitter that he had stood down as the host of the Academy Awards amid controversy over his alleged homophobic tweets from over a decade ago.
Hart - who had previously described the gig as a "dream come true" - had refused to apologise for the tweets, saying he had already addressed the issues.
But as the controversy continued to mount, the 39-year-old tweeted that he did not want the alleged offensive posts to be a "distraction on the night".
Hart wrote:"I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's....this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists."
He offered an apology, adding: "I sincerely apologise to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.
"I'm sorry that I hurt people. I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart.
"Much love & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again."
However he refused to apologise to the Academy when asked.
In an Instagram video he told his fans: “I chose to pass on the apology. The reason why I passed is because I’ve addressed this several times. This is not the first time this has come up. I’ve addressed it. I’ve spoken on it. I’ve said where the rights and wrongs were.”
Who's replacing him?
According to , the situation is “fluid” after Kevin's exit with an option being that the awards will go host-less, which last occurred in 1988 and between 1969 and 1971.
The Academy could instead bring in “a bunch of huge celebs, something SNL style, and buzzy people” to keep the show moving.
If the Oscars are set to replace the comedian, reports have suggested Eddie Murphy is currently favourite, with sketch duo Key and Peele and Lin-Manuel Miranda also rumoured.
Sandra Bullock joked that she was the new host of the Oscars before elaborating that no one wants to do it because the nature of the position means it's a "thankless job".
There was speculation that Kevin Hart might return, but in January, he told : "I'm not hosting the Oscars this year."
American actress and comedian Tracee Ellis Ross and and comic Kumail Nanjiani revealed the nominations for the awards on January 22.
Which hosts could return?
Seth McFarlane, who hosted the awards in 2013 to mixed reviews, explained to that the intensity of the gig means a lot of people rule themselves out of contention.
Late-night hosts are usually the go-to for the Academy with both Jimmy Kimmel, who has hosted for the past two years, and Jon Stewart tipped to be asked to return for a third time.
Ellen DeGeneres, who last hosted in 2014, has recently returned to stand-up and is another strong contender to take the reins at the 91st Academy Awards.
Neil Patrick Harris, who hosted in 2015, is among the favourites but he previously revealed to the that "his family or soul" couldn't take him hosting again.