James Franco has spoken out about accusations that he was under the influence of drink and drugs during his hosting of this year’s Academy Awards. According to www.okmagazine.com, representatives for Franco told E! News: “James does not drink or do drugs ever.” Instead, the 32-year-old actor was said to be “exhausted” following a four day stint of “20-hours days” of pre-Oscar rehearsals travelling back and forth from the East Coast. Continuing in the actor’s defense, E! reported that 127 Hours director Danny Boyle also thought he was a ‘stoner’ when he was first introduced to him. Boyle recalls: “I wasn’t sure at first…We met him and he was so relaxed — he looked stoned to me. People say that about him. But he’s not. In fact, he’s abstemious… In other words, he abstains from liquor and/or drugs.” Reports on Monday branded the star’s hosting performance as a ‘disaster’. Gossip site www.popeater.com reported that producers noticed Franco’s strange behaviour before the awards. One TV executive said: "This was a disaster... the show began something was wrong with James. His live interview on ABC backstage should have been a warning sign. He was awkward and looked as if he knew what a terrible evening was ahead for all of us."