Golden Globes 2016: Ricky Gervais to host awards show for the fourth time

Gervais previously said: 'I’ve told my agent to never let me be persuaded to do it again'

Ricky Gervais has been replaced as Golden Globes host by co-hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (Getty Images)

After three brilliant years of hosting the Golden Globes, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have decided not to return to the award show. Instead, Ricky Gervais will take over once more, marking his fourth time as host.

The comedian previously hosted the event between 2009 and 2011, causing controversy after making jokes about some of the Hollywood stars in the audience.

In 2012, he wrote on his blog how he would never host the awards again: “Phew! Thank f**k that’s over. I had a blast actually. It was by far my favourite of the three hosting stints.

"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.”

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association confirmed the news in a blog post titled “Ricky’s back!” in which their president, Lorenzo Soria said: “Ricky Gervais left us with a lasting impression and we are thrilled to have him back”.

Tweeting about the occasion, Gervais wrote: “It's a good job I'm drunk. Otherwise the thought of hosting The Golden Globes again would seem like a real pain in the a***.”

He also wrote: “Can't wait to host The Golden Globes again. My only guarantee is that not everyone will enjoy it as much as me.”

The 73rd Golden Globes will take place on 10 January.