The low-paid actors paid to fill seats at the Oscars are planning to disrupt the ceremony by going on strike, according to a report.

More than 200 "sitters" are paid $300 (£153) to fill real celebrities seats when they go to the loo. The system means the audience always appears full on television.

Now, says the Daily Star, the staff - made up of out-of-work actors and extras - are demanding a bigger share of the money poured into the Academy Awards.

“We may be poor – but we’re not stupid. The pay is way below even the lowest Screen Actor’s Guild day rate for movie set work," said a spokesman. “Why should we be paid less than the going rate while they eat caviar and drink champagne?”

They are also asking for tips to be pooled so all get a fair share of big pay outs from the stars. “Sitters at the back of the auditorium often walk away empty-handed, while those at the front collect big bucks from household name stars."

A source at the Academy Awards told the paper talks were continuing and they were determined to avoid a strike. He said: “The last thing we want is for them to walk out."