ACTOR AND COMEDIAN Eddie Murphy is now the frontrunner to host next year’s Oscars.

According to a report in the LA Times, the Academy may return to its favoured format of having a comedian host their annual awards ceremony after the unsuccessful trial of two actors taking over the duties last year.

James Franco and Anne Hathaway hosted the 2011 Academy Awards but their attempts at humour were deemed awkward and their presentation skills were panned by the media in Los Angeles.

No official decision has been announced but comedy website Humor Mill revealed that “inside sources” had confirmed the ‘Beverley Hills Cop’ actor as the host of the 84th Annual Academy Awards on February 26, 2012.

Murphy, who started out his career as a stand-up comedian, has not performed live on stage since 1987.

However, his credentials are hard to question, with the success of his ‘Raw’ live show and his stint on ‘Saturday Night Live’.

Murphy, whose latest movie ‘Tower Heist’ is due to be released in November, could face competition from previous hosts Steve Martin and Billy Crystal, according to the LA Times blog.