Washington, Dec 13: ‘World’s sexiest man’ Hugh Jackman has been roped in to host the 81st annual Academy Awards ceremony.

According to Laurence Mark, producer of the telecast, the Australian actor has been selected "because we want the ceremony to be fun.”

"He can hold the screen and he can hold a stage. It doesn''t hurt that he looks amazing in a tuxedo and he''s the Sexiest Man Alive," People quoted him as saying.

The ceremony will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Feb. 22.

The X men star, who is known for his hard body, he has a softer side too.

Jackman sings ballads at home, makes pancakes for son Oscar, 8, daughter Ava, 3, as well as his wife Deborra-Lee Furness.

London, Dec 4 : Being the World’s Sexiest Man, it can be really difficult for Hugh Jackman’s wife to keep the hunk away from female fans, but it looks like Deborra-Lee Furness is very understanding.

The X-Men star has revealed that his 48-year-old wife loves watching his steamy love scenes with his fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman in their blockbuster new film Australia.

And he insisted that her better half has a favourite scene too.

“This particular kiss that Nicole and I have, we come together so slowly. And my wife turns to me and says, ‘That was great!’ So I go, ‘Phew, that’s good’,” the Daily Express quoted Hugh, as saying.

Melbourne, December 3 : Britney Spears, who turned 27 on December 2, heard the ‘World’s Sexiest Man’ Hugh Jackman sing ‘Happy Birthday’ for her before the singer blew out the candles on the cake.

The ‘Toxic’ hit maker received Jackman’s wishes, who also blew her a kiss, in a recorded video message after her live performance on ‘Good Morning America’ in New York – despite not having met the actor ever.

Sydney - The queues were longer outside

Washington, November 26 : Hugh Jackman’s horse-riding stunt for his latest flick ‘Australia’ may have cost him his life if it wasn’t for the film''s safety officer who forced him to wear a helmet.

The ‘X-Men’ star, who nearly steamed on being compelled by the film insurers to wear a helmet and padding for a training routine, had been violently thrown a rearing horse on the ground.

The Aussie actor now thanks his stars for heeding to the advice of the experts, even if he had taken it reluctantly, reports Contactmusic.

Washington, Nov 25 : Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman has said that he found love scenes with his ‘Australia’ co-actor Nicole Kidman awkward, because she’s his wife’s best friend.

The ‘X-Men’ actor also stated that his wife Deborra-Lee Furness and Kidman were roommates when the latter moved to Hollywood to carve a niche as an actress.