This year’s Oscars UK coverage has been confirmed as ITV are set to host their own show on the night despite harsh backlash over their previous programme with Jonathan Ross

ITV have confirmed who will be hosting their Oscars coverage this year as the glitzy award ceremony returns.

Last year, host Jonathan Ross came under fire for his presenting on the biggest night in Hollywood to the UK audience. He appeared during the breaks on the American show to give commentary on the events across the pond, yet viewers branded it “painful”. Some even went as far as saying they would have preferred to watch ad breaks instead.

Despite the strong backlash, ITV have revealed Jonathan will be back again for this year’s event. The channel will go all out for the 97th Academy Awards as they become the exclusive UK home for the glitzy contest. It was previously covered by Sky, but ITV have managed to scoop the deal.

Viewers fumed last year as Jonathan appeared alongside a panel including actor Richard Armitage, comedian Doc Brown, actress Fay Ripley and TV presenter Yinka Bokinni. One said: “I want to watch the Oscars from Hollywood. Why am I watching Jonathan Ross and some other people in a studio in London?”

Jonathan will be hosting this year’s show ( 
Image:
ITV)

Another added: “I’d rather sit and watch adverts than this utterly embarrassing jonathan ross session.” Some adverts played during the show, as a viewer wrote: “I am glad that ITV are putting adverts instead of Jonathan Ross and the guests. I think they saw people complaining about it and decided adverts were a better option.”

A fourth quipped: “The jonathan ross coverage is painful.” Someone else commented: “I’m not sure why ITV have decided we needed Jonathan Ross reviewing the jokes in the show…” However, some didn’t agree as one said: “Jonathan Ross is good introducing the #Oscars.”

Jonathan also faced criticism over his comments about some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Oppenheimer bagged a number of awards, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. Collecting the gong in front of a host of famous faces, the Peaky Blinders star ended his speech saying: “Go raibh maith agat,” which means ‘thank you’ in Irish.

However, viewers were irked that Jonathan repeatedly referred to the actor as British as he praised the country’s talent. One tweeted: “Who has ever thought Cillian Murphy was British?? LMAO, Jonathan Ross is off his rocker.” While another mused: “Sorry but did Jonathan Ross just talk about British people winning all the awards and then include Cillian Murphy???”

Later on in the evening, the host took aim at late Friends star, Matthew Perry. The Academy Awards paid tribute to the much-loved actor, who tragically died aged 54. However, after seeing the emotional montage, which included the late actor, Michael Gambon, Jonathan quipped: “A touching tribute from the Academy there of some incredible performers and filmmakers sadly no longer with us.

“Always a sombre moment. It was nice to see Matthew Perry included, even though he’s not primarily known for his work in cinema, they probably could have done it without him.” The comment did not go down well with many viewers, with one fuming: ‘”Jonathan Ross’ comment on Matthew Perry was so f*****g unnecessary, what the f.”