Charlize Theron expected small Oscars role

Charlize Theron claims she was tricked into performing at the Oscars.

The 37-year-old star - a former ballerina - thought Academy Awards host Seth MacFarlane wanted her to do something ''small'' when he approached her about dancing at the ceremony last night (24.02.13), and was stunned when she was given the details of her elaborate routine with Channing Tatum.

She admitted: ''I thought it was going to be something smaller, like he pulls me up from the audience and we do a little spin.

''But then he was like, 'Rehearsals start Monday!' ''

While Charlize was terrified ahead of the performance - which saw them waltz while Seth sang 'The Way You Look Tonight', she had a great time thanks to her ''wonderful'' partner.

Asked what the experience had been like, she told E! Online: ''Completely nerve-wracking. But how could I not dance with Channing Tatum? He's so wonderful!''

And the actress joked Channing - whose wife Jenna Dewan is expecting their first child - was too ''classy'' to wear anything but a tuxedo on stage at Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre, despite his movie success in stripper film 'Magic Mike' last year.

She said:''No [he shouldn't have stripped]. He's so classy--and he's about to be a dad!''