Sacha Baron Cohen tips 'Kim Jong-il's ashes' on Ryan Seacrest

He promised a spectacle, and he delivered.

Sacha Baron Cohen arrived in character at today's Oscars ceremony, and proceeded to steal the show.

Cohen, dressed as his character from upcoming comedy film The Dictator and carrying an urn, was being interviewed by E! host Ryan Seacrest.

Asked why he was carrying the urn, Cohen said: "It gave me the opportunity to bring my dear friend and double tennis partner Kim Jong Il," before pretending to trip, tipping the urn's contents over Seacrest.

"If someone asks what you are wearing, tell them Kim Jong-Il," Cohen quipped.

Seacrest declared: "I'm covered in white stuff!"

"I was thinking he was either going to do that to me or George Clooney," Seacrest said afterwards.

Controversy raged over Cohen's appearance at the ceremony after intial reports suggested he had been banned over concerns he would pull a stunt.

When producers agreed to let him attend in character, Cohen responded: "Victory is ours! Today the Mighty Nation of Wadiya triumphed over the Zionist snakes of Hollywood," he said on a fake Wadiya website set up to promote the film.

"What I am trying to say here is that the Academy has surrendered and sent over two tickets and a parking pass!

"Today Oscar, tomorrow Obama!"

At the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, Cohen was dressed as his character Bruno and flew over the audience before a "mishap" saw him land trouserless upside-down in Eminem's lap. It was later revealed to be pre-planned.

Some Twitter users suggested his ashes skit was also planned with Seacrest in advance.

The Dictator follows Cohen's character Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen, the leader of a fictional Middle Eastern country called Wadiya.

Watch footage of the incident:

Watch the trailer for The Dictator:

- Herald online