Comedian Ellen DeGeneres has come to the defence of comedian Kevin Hart and has said that she personally called the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and asked for the comedian to be reinstated as the Oscars host.

Hart backed out of presenting the ceremony late last year after a controversy emerged over past homophobic tweets that he had posted. 

But DeGeneres has faced criticism for her stance from various quarters following an interview with Hart that has been seen by some as giving him as easy ride. 

Members of the LGBT community have objected. Journalist Trevell Anderson posted: "As a Black queer someone who, when my body began to manifest aspects of my identity even I was unaware of was punched in the chest by Black men in my family and told to “man up,” Ellen can’t and doesn’t speak for me."

And Piers Morgan has chipped in too, tweeting: "Very big of her. Of course, if Trump had said the homophobic things Kevin Hart tweeted, Ellen would have led the furious unforgiving 'woke' rage against him. Liberal celebrity hypocrisy is such a limitless vibe."

Watch the interview between Ellen DeGeneres and Kevin Hart here.