February 23, 2012 20:40

The Oscars: 'Sacha Baron Cohen has not been banned'

The Academy have still warned the 'Hugo' star about promoting 'The Dictator' on Sunday's red carpet

A spokesperson for the Academy Awards has spoken out to deny reports that actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has been banned from this year's Oscars ceremony.

It was reported that the Bruno and Borat star – who appears in Martin Scorsese's nominated movie Hugo – had his tickets taken away from him in case he pulled any stunts at the ceremony, as he has done in the past at awards shows.

However, a spokesperson for the Oscars has told Hollywood Reporter: "We haven't banned him. We're just waiting to hear what he's going to do."

Even so, the Academy have stated that they do not wish Cohen to use the red carpet for the 84th Academy Awards - which takes place this Sunday (February 26) - to promote his forthcoming movie The Dictator, by dressing up as his character from the movie.

In the film he plays the leader of a fictional Middle eastern nation called the Republic Of Wadiya, and his character is based on both Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi. "We don't think it's appropriate," added the spokesperson of any possible pranks or promotion. "But his tickets haven't been pulled. We're waiting to hear back."