Los Angeles:

 Hollywood veteran Harrison Ford unexpectedly stepped down from his presenting role at the 97th Academy Awards after being diagnosed with shingles. The 82-year-old, who starred in the iconic Indiana Jones and Star Wars sagas, was set to present an award at the prestigious ceremony. His surprising withdrawal was announced on March 2, which comes across as a heartbreak for the fans of the 'Indiana Jones' star.

His last-minute exit was due to a shingles diagnosis received on Friday. It is a viral infection that causes a very painful rash. The Mayo Clinic describes shingles as a painful blistering rash that most commonly appears on one side of the body. As it is not life-threatening, it can in certain cases be quite painful and uncomfortable, thus requiring rest and medical care.

While Ford will no longer present at the ceremony, a star-studded lineup of presenters is still set to take the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 4. Famous personalities in attendance will include Robert Downey Jr., Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Oprah Winfrey, and Scarlett Johansson, who will be seen announcing Oscar winners. The ceremony, hosted by Conan O'Brien, will be live on ABC and streamed on Hulu.

Reportedly, Ford is in a stable condition and is taking time to rest and recover. Earlier in the month, Ford had stirred excitement for his anticipated appearance at the Oscars by attending events, such as the premiere of Captain America: Brave New World and season two of the Western series 1923.

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