The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that next year's Oscars ceremony has been delayed by two months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Many big movies due for release this spring and summer have been forced to change their plans due to the killer disease, which has led to almost all cinemas being shut down.

The film industry's biggest event in the calendar was originally scheduled to take place on February 28, 2021 but the decision has now been taken to postpone it until April 25, 2021.

"For over a century, movies have played an important role in comforting, inspiring, and entertaining us during the darkest of times," said AMPAS in a statement. "They certainly have this year.

"Our hope, in extending the eligibility period and our Awards date, is to provide the flexibility filmmakers need to finish and release their films without being penalised for something beyond anyone's control."

AMPAS recently confirmed that the eligibility period for feature films in contention has been extended to February 28, 2021.