Leading the Oscar will be cross-eyed opossum

Heidi, the cross-eyed possum who recently gained worldwide fame thanks to her penetrating gaze, could become a Hollywood star after receiving an offer to take part in the next Oscar Awards ceremony, being held this February.

A spokesperson at Leipzig zoo where Heidi resides revealed that a US television network and been in touch to express an interest in hiring the possum, EITB reports.

Leipzig Zoo chief Jörg Junhold explained: "We have had the first requests form US TV stations for Heidi to go to Hollywood. NBC would like Heidi to present the Oscars and of course we are thinking about it."

Zoo spokeswomen Maria Sägebarth added: "Heidi will be shown via video link - she won't have to go all the way to America. We are in contact with the US TV station and we're discussing what Heidi would be required to do. We don't want her to be put under too much stress."

Heidi shot to fame when pictures of her bizarre cross-eyed look emerged from the zoo in Germany earlier this year. Experts believe her condition could be caused by fatty deposits around her eyes, Austrian Times says.