Jerry Seinfeld has snubbed the chance to host the Academy Awards - preferring instead to perform for an audience that isn’t racked with nerves.

The American comedian has turned the job down on numerous occasions over fears organisers will keep inviting him back.

But what appeals to him least is the prospect of performing in front of a crowd of Oscar nominees, whose minds are too focused on winning awards to laugh at his jokes.

Singer Billy Joel will premiere his classical composition Waltz No.2 (Steinway Hall) at the Academy of Music when he makes his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra next month.

Joel will join soprano Disella Larusdottie, pianist Conrad Tao and stage act the Blue Man Group at the event on 26 January to mark the 151st anniversary of the Academy of Music.

Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly back in the arms of Israeli model Bar Rafaeli after the ’split’ couple was spotted holding hands in Hollywood just before Christmas.

Revellers at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills saw the couple together for the first time since their October split hit the headlines on 20 December.

British singer Amy Winehouse has been summoned to appear in a Norwegian court - two months after she was arrested and fined in the country.

The Rehab hitmaker, husband Blake Fielder-Civil and her hairdresser were briefly arrested and fined 500 euros for drug use and possession of seven grams of marijuana in the western Norwegian town of Bergen on 18 October.