VIEWERS have been warned to “fasten their seatbelts” after it was announced that British comedian Ricky Gervais is to host Hollywood’s Golden Globe awards next year.

Despite criticism of his often offensive jibes and a self-imposed vow to never again host the show, Gervais has agreed to take to the stage at the 2016 awards in January.

“It’s a good job I’m drunk,” he said yesterday. “Otherwise the thought of hosting The Golden Globes again would seem like a real pain in the arse.”

In a barb aimed at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Gervais added: “Now I want Donald Trump to stop saying things until the day before The Golden Globes.”

After offending many of the film industry’s leading stars when he hosted the annual awards from 2010-2012, Gervais was replaced by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey.

However a social media storm after the pair played safe during this year’s awards called for his return and yesterday American broadcaster NBC Universal delighted his fans by announcing “Ricky’s back”.

“Disarming and surprising, Ricky is ready to honour – and send up – the best work of the year in film and television,” said NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt.

“Fasten your seatbelts.”

WHY IS HE CONTROVERSIAL?

Gervais’ return may not be so warmly received by those who have borne the brunt of his sarcasm and jibes.

He first stunned the Los Angeles elite in 2010 when he opened with a reference to their fear of ageing. “Looking at all the wonderful faces here today reminds me of the great work that’s been done this year… by cosmetic surgeons.”

He added: “I’ve had some work done, too. I’ve had a penis reduction. Just got the one now. And it is very tiny. But then so are my hands, so when I’m holding it, it looks pretty big. ”

Personal jokes followed with Angelina Jolie escaping relatively lightly.

“Actors aren’t just loved here in Hollywood, they are loved the world over,” said Gervais. “You could be in the third world and get a glimpse of a Hollywood star and it could make you feel a little bit better. You could be a little Asian child with no possessions and no money. But you could see a picture of Angelina Jolie and you’d think, ‘Mummy!’”

Winding up he said: “I hope I haven’t offended anyone.

“It’s not my fault [pointing at his drink]. I like a drink as much as the next man. Unless the next man is Mel Gibson.”

Gibson had been caught drink driving four years previously but the joke raised one of the biggest laughs of the night and Gibson appeared to take it well, even pretending to slur as he accepted his award.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

Gervais was asked back the following year and despite saying he would tone his insults down it didn’t take him long to provoke his audience.

“It’s going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking. Or as Charlie Sheen calls it: Breakfast.”

Playboy king Hugh Heffner was another of his targets.

“Talking of the walking dead, congratulations to Hugh Hefner, who is getting married, aged 84, to 24-year-old beauty Crystal Harris.

“When asked why she was marrying him, she said, ‘He lied about his age. I thought he was 94’.”

He then pretended he was Crystal retching.

Gervais next targeted Jolie and Johnny Depp. “It was a big year for 3D movies. Toy Story, Despicable Me, Tron. It seems like everything this year was three-dimensional, except the characters in The Tourist.

“I already feel bad about that joke.

“I’m jumping on the bandwagon, because I haven’t even seen The Tourist.

“Who has?

“I’d like to quash the rumours that the only reason The Tourist was nominated was so that the Hollywood Foreign Press can hang out with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.

“That is rubbish, that is not the only reason – they also accepted bribes.”

WHO WAS UPSET?

Other jibes included: “I Love You Phillip Morris stars Jim Carey and Ewan McGregor – two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay.

“So, the complete opposite of some famous scientologists. Probably.

“My lawyers helped me with the wording of that joke.”

Then: “I was sure the Golden Globe for special effects would go to the team that airbrushed [the Sex and the City 2] poster. Girls, we know how old you are. I saw one of you in an episode of Bonanza.”

Robert Downey Jr, who was lampooned for his time in rehab and prison, retaliated as he accepted his award.

“Aside from the fact that it’s been hugely mean-spirited, with mildly sinister undertones, I’d say the vibe of the show is pretty good so far.”

Later the actor added: “I think it’s great to be funny, but it’s better if you can do it without hurting people.”

The criticism did not stop Gervais starting in a similar vein in 2012 when he directed an apparent homophobic joke at Jodie Foster, star of The Beaver.

“I’m not to libel anyone; and I mustn’t mention Mel Gibson this year – not his private life, his politics, his recent films, and especially not Jodie Foster’s Beaver.

“I haven’t seen it myself, I’ve spoken to a lot of guys here, they haven’t seen it either. But that doesn’t mean it’s not any good.”

He then went on to add: “The Golden Globes are just like the Oscars without all that esteem. The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton.

“Bit louder, bit trashier, bit drunker and more easily bought.

“Allegedly. Nothing’s been proved.”

After the ceremony he said: “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.”

No doubt he is hoping he won’t fall flat on his face next time.