Ricky returning for the third time
Ricky Gervais is to host the Golden Globes for the third time in a row, despite the controversy he drew from presenting the event last year.
The news was announced via the official Golden Globes Twitter account last night, with a post that read:
“Ricky Gervais will host the 69th Golden Globe Awards on January 15, 2012.”
Organisers the Hollywood Foreign Press Association then confirmed the news in a statement:
“After weeks of rumours, it’s finally official – Ricky Gervais will be back to host the Golden Globes for a third year.
“While many welcome Gervais’ return, not everyone is happy with the decision because last year his blunt one-liners targeting big-name celebrities caused anger and resentment in some quarters.”
Gervais’ last turn as host in January caused some controversy, after he openly poked fun at celebrities – many of whom were in the audience – and the HFPA.
His performance left many wondering if he would return to host the show again, with Gervais himself dismissing the possibility of presenting it again.
However, the statement continued, explaining that the Life’s Too Short star had “gradually warmed to the idea and last month met with HFPA president Dr Aida Takla-O’Reilly in Paris to discuss it”.
The ceremony will be held in the US on 15 January 2012.
