Grumpy Old Men and The Odd Couple never won any Oscars — but next year an unlikely pair of film stars aged over 50 could be handing them out.

For the first time in the modern era the biggest event in showbusiness is to have two hosts.

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will co-present March's awards extravaganza in an effort to counteract the long-term trend of falling TV audiences.

The decision to cast two veteran actors in the role — Martin is 64 and Baldwin 51 — suggests that producers want to give the event a lightness of touch similar to that realised by Hugh Jackman this year.

In that spirit even the PR statement with which they accepted the job was full of knockabout banter.

“I'm happy to co-host the Oscars with my enemy Alec Baldwin,” said Martin, who spent much of this year touring with his bluegrass band. “I don't play the banjo, but I'm thrilled to be hosting,” responded Baldwin.