Jim Carrey reportedly "begged" to host the 2012 Oscars.

The 84th Academy Awards were held last Sunday and were hosted by Billy Crystal for the ninth time. Originally Eddie Murphy was going to do the honours, but he stepped down late last year.

It's been claimed Jim first hoped to host the prestigious ceremony in 2001, but it eventually went to Steve Martin. This time round he was sure he'd get the job.

"Now, 11 years later, Jim's been stung again," a source told National Enquirer. "The instant Eddie Murphy dropped out of his hosting deal in November, Jim burned up the phone lines to the Oscars honchos, begging for the gig but baseball nut Billy suddenly stepped up to the plate and poor Jim struck out again!"

Billy's stint at the helm of the ceremony was met with a mixed reception by critics. Many suggested the event was one of the more sombre of recent years, with Billy criticised for failing to get many laughs from the audience.