John Travolta at the Oscars: The behind-the-scenes pictures you weren't shown

The Scarlett Johansson and Idina Menzel pictures went viral - but he wasn't horribly awkward all night

Johansson didn't look delighted by Travolta's handsy display (DDP USA/Rex Features)

John Travolta was criticised for putting female stars in uncomfortable positions at the Oscars.

After snaking his way round Scarlett Johansson as she stared into the camera, Travolta clutched Idina Menzel's chin before they presented an Oscar together.

But photographs from the night show that, in fact, after Johansson's apparent snub, she turned around to greet him, and he was welcomed warmly by the other actors he encountered.

Change in perspective: Travolta and Johnasson interact after the uncomfortable kissing photograph was taken (Getty Images/Mark Ralston)

John and Scarlett looking much friendlier (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Travolta was at the Oscars to co-present the award for Best Original Song with Frozen star Menzel.

Body language expert Judi James says that Travolta's social faux-pas with Johansson and Menzel could have been the result of a planned joke gone wrong.

"Travolta possibly wanted to have a bit of fun and emulate Benedict Cumberbatch's magnificent photo-bomb of Bono from last year's ceremony, but Cumberbatch chose his stunt cleverly. Mocking a po-faced rock star is not the same thing as getting snoggy with the likes of Johansson and Menzel," she told The Independent.

The internet wasn't so kind to Travolta, and people posted memes sending up the Pulp Fiction actor's behaviour on Sunday night.