Ananova:

Penelope Cruz is reportedly threatening to stay away from the Oscars - because she's terrified of the red carpet.

The Daily Star says the actress has developed an "almost phobic" fear of seeing herself in photographs or on the big screen.

Penelope is said to have been "fretting" over her choice of outfit for the big night and is on the verge of leaving boyfriend Tom Cruise to go alone.

The newspaper quotes an insider as saying: "Penelope is one of the most beautiful women in the world but she still hates seeing herself in a movie or in pictures.

"She feels so uncomfortable in front of all those cameras and to make matters worse, she is on the arm of the most red carpet friendly star in Hollywood."