Oscars 2016: Presenters including Whoopi Goldberg and Benicio Del Toro announced amid diversity row

Line-up: Whoopi Goldberg will present an award at this year's Oscars
Monica Schipper/Getty
Jennifer Ruby29 January 2016
The Weekender

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The presenting line-up for this year’s Academy Awards has been announced.

Amid the recent controversy over the lack of ethnic diversity among this year’s nominees, a host of A-list stars including Benicio Del Toro, Whoopi Goldberg and Ryan Gosling have been confirmed to take to the stage.

Announced via a telecast in Los Angeles on Thursday, the academy confirmed names such as Tina Fey, Charlize Theron and Kevin Hart.

Oscars producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin said: “Together they represent the many thrilling ways stories can be shared about the human experience, and we're honoured they will be part of the celebration.”

Hollywood has been split over this year’s diversity debate after it was revealed that all of this year’s 20 acting nominees are white for the second year running.

Many stars including Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee have decided to boycott the ceremony, which will be hosted by comedian Chris Rock.

Oscar nominations 2016

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Goldberg, who has just been announced as a presenter, defended the Academy on The View earlier this week.

Insisting that the lack of black actors nominated for roles has more to do with the film industry in general, she said: “I won once. So it can’t be that racist.

“Even if you fill the Academy with black and Latino and Asian members, if there’s no one on the screen to vote for, you’re not going to get the outcome that you want.”

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