November 17, 2011 15:36

Ricky Gervais to return as Golden Globe Awards host

Organisers had been divided after his controversial script from last year

Photo: PA

Ricky Gervais will return to host the Golden Globe Awards for a third time next year.

Controversy surrounded the UK comic's performance as host last year, when his monologues poked fun at the guests and nominees, much to the displeasure of many. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association which puts on the ceremony was said this week to be deeply divided over a third appearance.

Gervais had even poked fun at their president Phiip Berk, saying in his introduction that he had to "help [Berk] off the toilet and pop his teeth back in." Robert Downey Jr hit out at Gervais from the stage and HFPA reps said afterwards that Gervais had gone "too far" and "crossed a line".

But now he has been asked back, according to Deadline. It is not yet clear whether the HFPA have insisted on vetting Gervais’ script this year - whether he would pay any attention or not.

It is believed that broadcasting network NBC had been pressurising the HFPA to have Gervais back, because of the increased audiences and revenue would create.

However, a source said earlier this week: "NBC has put the HFPA in a lose-lose situation. If the Hollywood Foreign Press says yes to Ricky, it risks turning the Globes into The Ricky Gervais Show and leaving the impression that they're annually throwing a great party while inviting someone who humiliates all of the guests. If it says no, the HFPA looks like it has no sense of humor about itself. The problem is, if you have Ricky, the show tends to wind up being all about him and how mean he can be. He effectively dwarfs the importance of the ceremony itself."

The Golden Globe Awards take place on January 15 next year.