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Ricky Gervais' most controversial Golden Globes jokes as comedian announced as host of 2020 awards

Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Comedian Ricky Gervais will return to host the 2020 Golden Globes. This will be his fifth time hosting the awards, with his first gig in 2010 and the most recent in 2016.

“Once again, they've made me an offer I can’t refuse. But this is the very last time I’m doing this, which could make for a fun evening,” Gervais said in a statement last month.

The After Life star is known for viciously roasting Hollywood A-listers as part of his hosting duties. To mark the return of Ricky, here’s some jokes which got him into hot water in previous ceremonies.

(Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
(Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

When he had a swipe at Jennifer Lawrence’s equal pay protest

Jennifer Lawrence (AP)
Jennifer Lawrence (AP)

“Jennifer Lawrence made the news when she demanded equal pay for women in Hollywood. She received overwhelming support from people everywhere. There were marches on the street with nurses and factory workers saying, ‘How the hell can a 25-year-old live on $52 million?!’”

When he made a controversial jibe about Caitlyn Jenner’s transition

Caitlyn Jenner (Reuters)
Caitlyn Jenner (Reuters)

“I’m going to be nice tonight. I’ve changed — not as much as Bruce Jenner. Obviously. Now Caitlyn Jenner, of course. What a year she’s had! She became a role model for trans people everywhere, showing great bravery in breaking down barriers and destroying stereotypes. She didn’t do a lot for women drivers. But you can’t have everything, can ya? Not at the same time.”

When he joked about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s adoptions

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

“When Brad and Angelina see Kevin Hart and Ken Jeong they’re gonna want to adopt them.”

When he offended the President of the Hollywood Foreign Press

“The president of the Hollywood Foreign Press said if I say anything offensive or crass, or resort to innuendo, he’s going to personally come out here and ‘pull me off.’ So that’s an offer I couldn’t refuse. Yes, yes, that is the level — an old man pulling me off. Again. At least Jeffrey Tambor did it in a dress.”

When he used the movie Spotlight to criticise Roman Polanski

Filmmaker Roman Polanski raped Samantha Geimer when she was 13 years old (AP)
Filmmaker Roman Polanski raped Samantha Geimer when she was 13 years old (AP)

“The excellent Spotlight has been nominated. Yeah. The Catholic Church are furious about the film as it exposes that 5 percent of all their priests have repeatedly molested children and been allowed to continue to work without punishment. Roman Polanski called it ‘the best date movie ever.”

When he called out Mel Gibson

(Kevin Winter/Getty)
(Kevin Winter/Getty)

“I’m in the awkward position of having to introduce him again. Listen, I’m sure it’s embarrassing for both of us. I blame NBC for this terrible situation. Mel blames…we know who Mel blames. Listen, I still feel a bit bad for it. Mel’s forgotten all about it apparently, that’s what drinking does. I want to say something nice about Mel before he comes out. So: I’d rather have a drink with him in his hotel room tonight than with Bill Cosby."

When he clearly called out one A-Lister without even naming him

“Also not nominated, I Love You Phillip Morris. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. So the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists, then. My lawyers helped with that joke.”

When he felt the need to acknowledge that the general public had no interest in the film The Tourist

“Everything this year was three-dimensional, except the characters in The Tourist. I feel bad about that joke. I’m jumping on the bandwagon because I haven’t even seen that movie. Who has?”

When he joked about Kim Kardashian - twice

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

“For any of you who don’t know, the Golden Globes are just like the Oscars, but without all that esteem. The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton. A bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker, and more easily bought. Allegedly. Nothing’s been proved.”

“What’s with all the divorces? What’s going on? Arnold and Maria, J-Lo and Mark Anthony, Ashton and Demi. Kim Kardashian and some guy no-one will remember. He wasn’t around long. 72 days. A marriage that lasted 72 days. I’ve sat through longer James Cameron acceptance speeches.”

When he acknowledged the face-lifts in the crowd

“Looking at all the wonderful faces here today reminds me of great work that’s been done this year… by cosmetic surgeons.”

When he acknowledged Paul McCartney’s then-recent divorce

(Getty Images for SiriusXM)
(Getty Images for SiriusXM)

“Paul McCartney is here… he’s saving money, he spent an awful lot last year.”

When he joked about Robert Downey Jr’s chequered history

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

“Many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail”

When he joked about gender pay gap benefits

“Of course women should be paid the same as men for doing the same job. And I’d like to say now, I’m being paid exactly the same as [what Tina Fey and Amy Poehler received] last year. No, I know there were two of them, but it’s not my fault if they want to share the money, is it? That’s their stupid fault. It’s funny because it’s true.”

When he rubbished the awards show

“Remember if you do win tonight, no one cares about that award as much as you do. Don’t get emotional, it’s embarrassing. That award is, no offense, worthless. It’s a bit of metal some nice old confused journalists wanted to give you in person so they could meet you and have a selfie with you, okay? That’s all it is!”

When he joked about the Sex and the City cast

“I was sure the award for special effects would go to the team that airbrushed that poster. Girls, we know how old you are. I saw one of you in an episode of Bonanza!”