Gervais won't host Golden Globes again

The comedian Ricky Gervais caused controversy when he hosted the awards ceremony on Sunday night by ridiculing several top Hollywood stars.

They include Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Charlie Sheen and Robert Downey Jr. and his remarks were even branded "unacceptable" by Philip Berk, the President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) – the organisation that runs the event.

But the ‘Stardust’ actor – who first hosted the ceremony in 2010 – isn’t worried about appeasing anyone in the future because he doesn’t think he will take on the job again.

When asked by gossip website TMZ if he would return for a third time, he replied: “It’s doesn’t really matter because I’m not going to do it anyway. I said I wouldn’t do it a second time but I think twice is enough.”

Some of his more risque jokes included telling guests they should look forward to "a night of partying and heavy drinking - or as Charlie Sheen calls it, breakfast” and when he introduced Downey on stage to present a prize he said “many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail”, in reference to his past drug addictions and wild behaviour.

The ‘Iron Man’ star immediately addressed the quip by asking the audience: “Aside from the fact that it's been hugely mean-spirited with mildly sinister undertones, I'd say the vibe of the show has been pretty good so far, wouldn't you?"

Although he has been criticised for his routine, Gervais, 49, has thanked everyone who has supported him.

In a posting on his blog, he wrote: “Thanks to the twitterverse, the blogosphere, all the journos and the coolest stars for coming to my rescue. It was heartwarming to realise I wasn't losing my mind. Some reactions nearly had me believing I'd gone too far too. Nearly.

"Can't wait for the people who thought it was over the top to see my stand-up shows. F--k me, they will s--t themselves. (sic)”

Among the celebrities who offered their support to Gervais were broadcaster Larry King, actress Elizabeth Banks and 84-year-old Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner – who was ridiculed by the comic star over his engagement to 24-year-old Crystal Harris.