Will Smith confirms he will not attend the Oscars over race issue

Actors Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith will not attend the Oscars this year. Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

Hollywood actor Will Smith has confirmed that he will not be attending this year's Oscars ceremony because of an ongoing row over the academy's all-white list of nominees.

Speaking on Good Morning America, Smith said he would be joining his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith and director Spike Lee in not attending the event next month.

Smith said that he would be "uncomfortable" at the ceremony because of concerns about the lack of diversity in this year's nominations.

Smith added: "Everybody is beautiful and deserving and fantastic, but it feels like it's going in the wrong direction...

"This is so deeply not about me. This is about children who are going to sit down to watch this show and they are not going to see themselves represented."

Upcoming Oscars host Chris Rock is coming under pressure to pull out of the event. Credit: Reuters/Danny Moloshok

Meanwhile comedian and 2016 Oscars host Chris Rock is reportedly coming under increasing pressure to pull out of the event.

Rapper 50 Cent posted a message to Rock on his Instagram feed urging him not to take part.

He said: "Chris please do not do the Oscars awards. You mean a lot man, don't do it. Please."