Who next for Oscars as Eddie Murphy quits as host?

PREPARATIONS for next year's Oscars have been thrown in disarray after Eddie Murphy, host for the 26 February ceremony, quit the show following the resignation of his friend Brett Ratner, who was to have produced it.
 
The news is a major blow for the Academy, which has struggled to attract TV viewers in recent years. By choosing Murphy, the organisers were returning to the tried and trusted formula of having a comedian as compere after this year's flop when actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway co-presented.
 
Murphy quit the Oscars on Wednesday a day after Ratner stood down from his role as producer.

Ratner had created a storm by saying in an interview to promote his film Tower Heist, in which Murphy stars, "Rehearsing is for fags." Ratner did himself no favours by later appearing on shock jock Howard Stern's radio where the topics discussed included STDs, his sex life and those of Hollywood moguls.
 
The furore led to Ratner's resignation. In a letter he apologised "unreservedly" for "the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances". Murphy has not said why he chose to go too.
 
There has been a wave of speculation about who will replace Murphy, with many calling for Ricky Gervais, who has caused controversy as host of the Golden Globes for the last two years, to be handed the job.
 
Gervais's response – delivered by Twitter - was ambiguous. "Can't believe all shouts for me to host Oscars. Really appreciate it but I don't think it's my kinda gig. Although that's the fun sometimes. " ·