Kevin Hart reveals may still take Oscars hosting job as Ellen DeGeneres lobbies for his return

Kevin Hart has revealed he is debating taking the hosting role at the 91st Oscars next month despite stepping down due to a scandal over historic tweets. 

Appearing on Friday’s episode of the Ellen DeGeneres’ show, the legendary chat show star revealed she has been lobbying the Academy in the hope of his return to the role as she confessed she ‘really wants him to host’.

Ellen said: ‘I called the Academy today because I really want you to host the Oscars. We want him to host, whatever we can do… The Academy is saying what can we do to make this happen’, to which Kevin admitted he is ‘evaluating’ the idea. 

Shock: Kevin Hart has revealed he is still debating taking the hosting role at the Oscars despite stepping down last month due to a scandal over historic tweets

In response to her support, Kevin said: ‘Leaving here I promise you I’m evaluating this conversation. This is a conversation I needed to have, I’m glad I had it here. I’m glad it’s as authentic and real as I could’ve hoped it would be.’  

Sources told PEOPLE: ‘There has been a steady stream of buzz that things might work out between Kevin and the Academy. The Academy never really axed him – they wanted him to apologise – he wouldn’t, and then he was the one to drop out… 

‘A lot of people at the Academy are scratching their heads because he did what they wanted him to do so really he didn’t need to quit in that case…

‘Everyone has noticed that it’s not like the Academy just pivoted to someone else; Kevin is clearly well aware that the job is still wide open. But meanwhile, he has needed to do his own clean-up work in terms of his image after all of this.’

Open and honest: Appearing on Friday's episode of Ellen DeGeneres' show, the legendary chat show star revealed she has been lobbying the Academy in the hope of his return to the role as she confessed she 'really wants him to host'

Open and honest: Appearing on Friday’s episode of Ellen DeGeneres’ show, the legendary chat show star revealed she has been lobbying the Academy in the hope of his return to the role as she confessed she ‘really wants him to host’

Resurfaced: Internet users searched through the funnyman's tweets to discover his excess of vile slurs prior to becoming famous in the mainstream

Resurfaced: Internet users searched through the funnyman’s tweets to discover his excess of vile slurs prior to becoming famous in the mainstream

Not interested... As the controversy rumbled on, he tweeted shortly after 'I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscars'

Not interested… As the controversy rumbled on, he tweeted shortly after ‘I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscars’

The scandal erupted last month when tweets dated from 2009 to 2011 resurfaced in which the comedian spewed blatant anti-gay rhetoric.

In 2011, he wrote in a since-deleted tweet: ‘Yo if my son comes home & try’s 2 play with my daughters doll house I’m going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice ”stop that’s gay.”

The comedian has since deleted the tweets, but that wasn’t before screen captures began circulating online, gaining widespread criticism.

Shock reaction: Kevin responded to the ultimatum in the video asserting that he chose to 'pass on the apology' because he had 'addressed this several times'

Shock reaction: Kevin responded to the ultimatum in the video asserting that he chose to ‘pass on the apology’ because he had ‘addressed this several times’

Following the historic reveal, Kevin shared an Instagram video in which he confessed that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences had given him an ultimatum: ‘Apologise for the comments or they would seek a new host’. 

Kevin responded to the ultimatum in the video asserting that he chose to ‘pass on the apology’ because he had ‘addressed this several times’.

He said: ‘The reason that I passed is I’ve addressed it several times. That’s not the first time this has come up. I’ve addressed it. I’ve spoken on it. I’ve said where the rights and wrongs were. I’ve said who I am now versus who I was then. I’ve done it’.

The big reveal: Since then, there hasn't been any word from the Academy, with Deadline reporting that their, 'highly reliable sources' indicating that no one in Hollywood is interested in hosting, after the, 'Hart debacle'

The big reveal: Since then, there hasn’t been any word from the Academy, with Deadline reporting that their, ‘highly reliable sources’ indicating that no one in Hollywood is interested in hosting, after the, ‘Hart debacle’

Less than two hours later the star changed his tune, issuing an apology to the LGBTQ community along with his resignation as Oscars host.

As the controversy rumbled on, he tweeted shortly after: ‘I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscar’s….

‘This is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists… I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.’   

Since then, there hasn’t been any word from the Academy, with Deadline reporting that their, ‘highly reliable sources’ indicating that no one in Hollywood is interested in hosting, after the, ‘Hart debacle.’ 

Rumour mill: Since then, there hasn't been any word from the Academy, with Deadline reporting that their, 'highly reliable sources' indicating that no one in Hollywood is interested in hosting, after the, 'Hart debacle'

Rumour mill: Since then, there hasn’t been any word from the Academy, with Deadline reporting that their, ‘highly reliable sources’ indicating that no one in Hollywood is interested in hosting, after the, ‘Hart debacle’

With less than two months until the telecast on February 24, and no host named for yet, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are considering drastic alternatives.

There had previously been rumors that the Academy was considering using multiple hosts, with Deadline reporting that this is an option once again, as is using no host at all.

Neither the Academy nor producers Donna Gigliotti and Glenn Weiss have commented on the hosting vacancy, and haven’t even officially confirmed that previous host Kevin has bowed out.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk