Oscars 2012: what the winners said

Michel Hazanavicius, on The Artist winning Best Picture:

"I'd like to say very, very important things. I'd like to say hi to my kids. It's six in the morning in Paris so you should go to bed in thirty seconds."

He pays tribute to his wife, Bejo, saying: "You inspired the movie, you're the soul of the movie and the positive feeling of the movie."

Meryl Streep, after winning Best Actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

"Oh, come on!" she says. "Thankyouthankyou. When they called my name I had this feeling half of America were going, 'Oh come on, her again'. But ... whatever. "

Jean Dujardin, after winning Best Actor for The Artist.

"Ouais! I love your country," he says, thanking the Academy. "It's funny because in 1929 it was not Billy Crystal but Douglas Fairbanks who 'ousted the first ceremony. Tickets cost $5 and it lasted fifteen minutes," he says. He adds Fairbanks inspired him for the role. He bounces around the stage with joy.

Michel Hazanavicius, after winning Best Director for The Artist.

"I want to thank the crazy person who put money in that movie," he says. "It is full of life and bring us joy and happiness. Sometimes life is wonderful, and today is one of those days."

Octavia Spencer, on winning Best Supporting Actress for The Help

"Thank you Academy for putting me with the hottest guy in the room," she said, referring to the golden Oscar statuette.

"Thankyou Steven Spielberg for changing my life."

Fighting back tears and thanking her family and fellow cast members, she said, "I'm wrapping up, I'm sorry, I am freaking out. Thank you

And a brief mention to Billy Crystal, who although didn't win an Oscar himself, his humourous comments throughout the evening are deerving of their own place.

"And now a recurring dream of mine, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez."

"Harry Potter's movies made 7.7 billion. But he only paid 14 per cent income tax."

"That was a long time ago. When movies were still made on film."

Billy Crystal on The Help - "I wanted to hug the first black woman that I saw. From Beverly Hills that's about a 45 minute drive."

Billy Crystal on The Artist - They must be going nuts in france right now. Or whatever they have in France in place of joy." world."