Oscars poll result: Digital Spy users choose Ricky Gervais as host

Following the news earlier this week that Eddie Murphy had stepped down as host of the 2012 Academy Awards, we invited Digital Spy users to take part in a poll to choose their preferred host for next year's Oscars ceremony.

The results are now in, and whether it was in spite of or because of the controversy he generated hosting this year's Golden Globes, 27.1% of you chose comedian Ricky Gervais as the best person for the job.

How I Met Your Mother actor Neil Patrick Harris, who hosted this year's Tony Awards, polled in second place with 13.9% of the vote, followed by Tina Fey with 11.4% of votes.

Whoopi Goldberg and Ellen DeGeneres made up the top five, followed by Billy Crystal. The actor - who was confirmed as Murphy's replacement on Thursday evening (November 10) - received 5.3% of your votes.

A number of you told us about your own suggestions in the comments section - with choices including one-time DS Icon Betty White, Charlie Sheen, The Muppets, Bette Midler and Zach Galifianakis.

The full list of results from Digital Spy's Oscars poll is as follows:

• Ricky Gervais - 27.1%
  
• Neil Patrick Harris - 13.9%
  
• Tina Fey - 11.4%
  
• Whoopi Goldberg - 8.9%
  
• Ellen DeGeneres - 6.1%
  
• Other - 5.5%
  
• Billy Crystal - 5.3%
  
• Hugh Jackman - 4.3%
  
• Jim Carrey - 4.6%
  
• Steve Carell - 3.2%
  
• Ben Stiller - 2.6%
  
• Jon Stewart - 2.0%
  
• Oprah Winfrey - 1.5%
  
• Steve Martin - 1.4%
  
• Conan O'Brien - 1.2%
  
• Alec Baldwin - 1.1%

Watch Digital Spy's recent interview with Ricky Gervais and the stars of An Idiot Abroad below: