Chris Rock ‘turned down’ chance to host next Oscars after controversial Will Smith slap

express.co.uk:

Chris Rock, 57, has reportedly said he was asked by the Academy to host next year’s Oscars, but that he turned the opportunity down.The star discussed the apparent offer during his stand-up routine, five months after he was slapped across the face by Will Smith, 53, live on stage.Earlier this year, the King Richard actor shocked onlookers as he stormed across the stage to smack the comedian after he made a joke at the expense of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, 50.While the star has since apologised, the story rocked the world of showbiz for weeks on end, with many celebrities and other famous faces offering their perspectives on the altercation.Chris told his fans at a Phoenix stand-up gig that he had since been asked to host the award show, but explained why he didn’t think it would be a good idea.The Everybody Hates Chris actor joked to his audience that returning to the award ceremony would be like returning to a crime scene, according to a report from Arizona Republic.

The comedian went on to jibe that coming back to host the Hollywood awards show would be like asking Nicole Brown Simpson to "go back to the restaurant".This was in reference to the events that led to Nicole’s death and the infamous OJ Simpson trial that followed.The late mother-of-two ate at LA restaurant Mezzaluna Trattoria before she was murdered that evening in her Los Angeles home at the age of 35.The joke was made with a nod to the dramatic events surrounding the slap from the beloved Independence Day actor, which shook the world of Hollywood.

Rock reportedly added that he had been offered to star in a Super Bowl commercial following the incident, but turned that down as well.Express.co.uk has contacted the Academy for comment.On March 27, viewers.