Kevin Hart has posted a cryptic message about growth and learning as the controversy surrounding his scuppered Oscars hosting gig continues.

The comedian and actor chose to step down from hosting next month's ceremony following an online backlash over a series of homophobic tweets he posted 10 years ago.

Hart took to Instagram on Saturday (January 5) to share an inspirational message about the importance of self-improvement.

He wrote: "When did we get to the point where we forgot that we all learn, then we all have the ability to grow and with that growth comes a wealth of knowledge. You can't change without a understanding of what GROWTH means. Please grasp this and use it in 2019."

The comic star also included a screenshot of a few examples to reinforce his point.

It read: "Basketball players aren't great until they LEARN how to play the game correctly. Teachers are great teachers when they LEARN how to get thru to kids correctly. Architects become great at their job when they LEARN how to build correctly'."

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The controversy kicked off in early December when a series of homophobic tweets from Hart's past were unearthed. A mere two days after landing what he called "a dream gig", Hart said the Academy told him to choose between apologising for these tweets or losing the job. He opted to "pass on the apology" as he's already "addressed this several times".

The Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Friday (January 4) where the chat-show urged him to rethink his decision not to host next month's ceremony, which is currently host-less.

DeGeneres told Hart: "You have grown. You have apologised. You're apologising again right now. You've done it. Don't let those people win. Host the Oscars."

The presenter said she had contacted the Academy to see if there was a way that Hart could return as host and that she felt "they were secretly hoping you would come back".

Variety reported on Friday that the Academy is open to Hart returning as Oscars host.

An insider close to the production said Hart would have to approach them with "willingness to return".

Another source revealed that the Academy is waiting for the comedian to have a "meaningful" conversation about his old tweets.

The Academy is under pressure to solve the host problem ahead of the 91st Academy Awards ceremony on February 24.