Ricky Gervais is set to host the Golden Globes for the fourth time in 2016, despite vowing never to present the awards ceremony again. The comedian, who last hosted the awards in 2012, said he "can't wait" to return to the stage for the 73rd ceremony on 10 January.
"Can't wait to host The Golden Globes again," Ricky tweeted on Tuesday morning. "My only guarantee is that not everyone will enjoy it as much as me."
© Photo: Getty ImagesRicky Gervais will host the Golden Globes for the fourth time in January
The outspoken star hosted the awards for three consecutive years from 2010-2012, and caused controversy with a series of close to the bone remarks about some of Hollywood's biggest names. However, the organisers of the event, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, have said they are delighted to have Ricky back.
Association president Lorenzo Soria said: "His off-the-cuff wit and quirky charm will surely have the room and audiences around the world at the edge of their seats."
The announcement may come as a surprise to fans, after the British comic talent previously likened the role to "a parachute jump" and said he wouldn't do it again.
Writing on his blog in 2012, Ricky wrote: "I've told my agent to never let me be persuaded to do it again though. It's like a parachute jump. You can only really enjoy it in retrospect when you realise you didn't die and it was quite an amazing thing to do."
He will take over presenting duties from Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, who co-hosted the awards for three consecutive years and won praise for their witty jokes and one-liners in 2015.
The Golden Globes are the first big event in awards season and are typically seen as an indicator of which Hollywood stars could go on to achieve success at the Oscars in February. Nominations for this year's awards will be announced on 10 December.
