Neil Patrick Harris 'Was Not First Choice For Oscars'

We know we weren't alone in getting excited when Neil Patrick Harris was announced as the host of next year's Oscars last week.

But even though it's an inspired bit of recruitment, it seems the How I Met Your Mother star may not have been the first choice for the gig.

The Hollywood Reporter claims that producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron first asked Ellen DeGeneres if she was interested in reprising last year's successful stint as MC.

And when she came back with a "no", they apparently sounded out both comedian Chris Rock and actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus - who are both claimed to have turned it down.

NPH is then reported to have been made the offer that led to last week's big reveal.

As a previous host of four Tony Awards and two Emmy Awards ceremonies, he is likely to be viewed as a safe pair of hands by the organisers.