Comedian Ricky Gervais will return in 2016 as host of the Golden Globes after a previous, controversial stretch of hosting the awards show, according to The Guardian and other sources.
Despite some criticisms over his earlier run on the show, Gervais -- who hosted the Golden Globes in 2010, 2011 and 2012 -- will return to emcee the 73rd telecast on Jan. 10.
It will mark the star’s fourth time managing the stage after three highly-rated telecasts hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
"We're excited to have Ricky Gervais back to host the most enjoyable awards show of the season in his own inimitable way," NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said. "Disarming and surprising, Ricky is ready to honor — and send up — the best work of the year in film and television. Fasten your seats belts."
HFPA president Lorenzo Soria added of the news, “Ricky Gervais left us with a lasting impression and we are thrilled to have him back in our show as we honor the best in film and television."
"His off-the-cuff wit and quirky charm will surely have the room and audiences around the world at the edge of their seats,” Soria said.
The awards show also posted the news on Twitter.
Gervais’ tenure ended with a sour note after his last telecast, when then-HFPA President Phillip Berk said the comedian "crossed the line" with some of his remarks. After that incident, Gervais also vowed he’d never return.
After the 2012 ceremony, Gervais wrote on his blog, “Thank f**k that’s over. I’ve told my agent to never let me be persuaded to do it again though. It’s like a parachute jump.”
But it appears to all be water under the bridge at this point, and the show’s head honchos appear to be ecstatic about his return.
“What will he say? What will he do? We can't wait to find out, and we are so happy that he's back," said Barry Adelman, the show’s executive producer.
