Conan O'Brien has been "practicing backflips" in case Rose Byrne wins an Oscar.

The 62-year-old talk show host is returning to host this year's Academy Awards but he admitted he won't be maintaining a neutral stance if his If I Had Legs I'd Kick You co-star triumphs in the Best Actress category for her work on the film.

Asked if he'll retain his professional demeanour, he told the New York Times newspaper: "Forget it. Not happening.

"I have been practicing backflips and, with the help of my surgical team, I am ready to go should the occasion arise."

Rose won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy last month, but because she felt "totally out of [her] depth and inarticulate" when she got on stage, she forgot to thank a number of people, including Conan, but he was very understanding.

She recalled: "I was texting so many people later, saying, 'I'm sorry, I forgot to say thank you to this person and that person.'

"And Conan was like, 'Shut up, it was great. No one wants to hear someone bang on for hours.' He's become an unofficial life coach. He's lovely."

The 46-year-old star's speech was most memorable after she thanked partner Bobby Cannavale but noted he wasn't there as he was attending a "reptile expo in New Jersey" in order to source a bearded dragon for their children Rocco, 10, and eight-year-old Rafa.

And Rose admitted she regretted her comments because of the attention they brought.

She said: "Never in my life will I announce something like that on a major awards show again.

"Everyone was thinking it's for Bobby. It's not! It's for our children. The children."

Bobby is looking forward to attending the Oscars for the first time with her next month.

Rose recently confirmed to Extra: "Yeah, he can't wait. He's never been. I went once before because I presented with the cast of Bridesmaids in 2012."

The Instant Family star faces competition for the award from Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Emma Stone (Bugonia), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue) and Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value) and she is looking forward to speaking with them at the ceremony to praise their "breathtaking" work.

She said: "The women in my category are just extraordinary and I've seen all their work now and they're breathtaking, and I can't wait to celebrate and make them feel uncomfortable and tell them how much I love them."