(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Eddie Murphy has quit as the host of next year's Academy Awards.

The movie star's resignation comes a day after initial producer of the show Brett Ratner stepped down following a furor caused by a homophobic slur he made over the weekend.

Eddie had worked with Brett on their new movie Tower Heist and it was the filmmaker who put the actor's name forward for the prestigious job.

"I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop," Eddie said in a statement. "But I'm sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job."

"I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we wish him well," Academy president Tom Sherak said today.

Tom had stated that he thought Brett "did the right thing for the Academy and for himself," by pulling out of the show.

"Brett is a good person, but his comments were unacceptable."

Brett had said that "rehearsals are for f**s," while attending a Q&A session for his new movie.

He later issued an open letter apologising for his words and saying that although being asked to put together the Oscar show was the "proudest moment of my career," he did not want to cause a "distraction" for the big event by staying on.

Brett added that he had been in contact with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and promised that he would work to "increase awareness of the important and troubling issues this episode has raised." (C) Cover Media