EDDIE MURPHY - MURPHY NOT A 'SORE LOSER' FOR LEAVING OSCARS

LATEST: EDDIE MURPHY's aides have hit back at reports the actor/comedian stormed out of the Oscars on Sunday (25FEB06) after losing out to ALAN ARKIN - insisting her had always planned to leave after his category was announced. Murphy, who was a favourite, left the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood minutes after Arkin claimed gold for Best Supporting Actor - but his handlers claim Murphy would have left even if he had won. His representative ARNOLD ROBINSON says, "Eddie had always planned on leaving after his category was announced to spend the rest of the evening with his family. He did the same thing following the Golden Globe Awards." The explanation comes a day after internet reports suggested Murphy was "a sore loser" for leaving the ceremony even before his DREAMGIRLS co-star JENNIFER HUDSON claimed her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.