This year's Oscars ceremony will reportedly go ahead as planned despite the ongoing wildfires raging across California.
At least 25 people have now lost their lives and tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed in the Los Angeles area over the last 10 days, and although the fires show signs of abating, predicted high winds next week could trigger a fresh wave of destruction.
A report in The Sun on Tuesday claimed that the Academy Awards were at risk of being scrapped for the first time in their 96-year history, with insiders claiming that the glamour and prestige of the ceremony would make an uncomfortable juxtaposition with the devastating reality facing many Californians.
The Hollywood Reporter has today moved to debunk the claims, however, with senior Academy sources leading the publication to "categorically report that no such plan is being contemplated".
The report continues: "Any change to the Oscars ceremony itself would require significant consultation between the Academy and its longtime broadcasting partner ABC. And it is currently the prevailing sentiment within the Academy's leadership that the show should go on - in a dignified manner that would help to raise funds for and celebrate fire relief efforts."
As things stand the 97th Academy Awards will take place on March 2, with nominations being announced next Thursday, January 23.
Neil Wilkes
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