Eddie Murphy steps down as 2012 Oscar host after Brett Ratner resigns

Eddie Murphy stepped down as the host of the 2012 Oscars merely 24 hours after Brett Ratner resigned following controversy over an anti-gay remark he made.

Ratner had been working on the show since being named producer on 4th August and a key element of his plan had been to sign Murphy as the host.

“First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony,” the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

“I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job,” he said.

The 42-year-old producer, who is best known for directing the Rush Hour films and X-Men- The Last Stand caused controversy last week during a question-and-answer session at a screening of his new comedy Tower Heist, which stars Murphy.

He was asked about rehearsals for actors to which he said, “rehearsing is for fags”.

Ratner later apologised publicly, but the damage was done as gay rights groups and some of the 6,000 members of the Academy took issue with his use of the word.