Harrison Ford, 82, suddenly pulls out as Oscars presenter due to serious illness

The news broke on Saturday, with reports that the Indiana Jones icon was diagnosed with shingles on Friday making him unable to fulfill his role at the glitzy awards show.

Shingles is a skin condition that’s triggered by the chickenpox virus. Symptoms often include a band of blisters or a rash and a burning pain or tingling sensation that can last for a few weeks or longer.

While its not usually life-threatening, shingles can be extremely serious in older adults.

Healthline explains: ‘While shingles itself isn’t usually a deadly disease, it can lead to conditions such as pneumonia and encephalitis, which can be fatal. This is particularly true for older people whose immune systems have been compromised by treatments for illnesses such as AIDS and cancer.’.

As a result, fans have taken to social media to share their well wishes for the Hollywood icon.

X user @tomlikestocode wrote: ‘Shingles is no joke. If you’ve had it or know someone who has, you know how painful it can be. Hope Ford gets through it quickly.’

@DominiqueGeek responded to the news with: ‘That’s horrible. Get well soon, Harrison!! Xxx’

@DreadfulDraven wrote: ‘Shingles?! No!!!! Get well Mr. Ford!’

The 97th Academy Awards is still set to go ahead as planned, despite Harrison’s absence.

Presenters include: Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Elle Fanning, Whoopi Goldberg, Scarlett Johansson, John Lithgow, Amy Poehler, June Squibb, Bowen Yang, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Robert Downey Jr.

Other presenters and performers includes the likes of Dave Bautista, Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Margaret Qualley, Alba Rohrwacher, Zoe Saldaña and Rachel Zegler.

Miles Teller and Miley Cyrus are new additions to the list, as confirmed by the Academy on Friday.

This year’s nominees include the likes of Ralph Fiennes and Timothée Chalamet for best actor, and Demi Moore and Mikey Madison for best actress.

Meanwhile, The Substance, The Brutalist and Anora are among those battling it out for best picture.

This year’s Oscars will be hosted by USA comedian and talk show host Conan O’Brien.

‘I’m just saying yes to things that I wouldn’t have done before. I’m a black belt in karate now. I’m a licensed neurosurgeon,’ the star joked to ABC News of his decision to host for the first time.

‘I mean, there are all these things I’m doing now that I didn’t think I would ever do before.’