Casey Affleck pulls out of presenting best actress award at Oscars

Oscar-winning actor Casey Affleck has pulled out of this year’s Academy Awards.

As reigning best actor winner, the Manchester By The Sea star would have been expected to present the best actress award.

But his publicist on Thursday confirmed he would not be attending the ceremony.

In 2010, Affleck was sued by two women for alleged sexual harassment before the lawsuits were settled out of court.

He has vehemently denied the sexual harassment claims which were alleged to have happened during the making of the film I'm Still Here.

The 90th Academy Awards take place on March 4 in Los Angeles.

Additional reporting from the Press Association.