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Look who's back! Ricky Gervais to 'raise anxiety,' host 2016 Golden Globe Awards

The provocative comedian returns as host of the awards ceremony, scheduled for Jan. 10.
/ Source: TODAY

Well, well, well. Look who's back!

After a three-year absence, comedian-slash-provocateur Ricky Gervais will return as host of the Golden Globe Awards ceremony when it airs in January, NBC confirmed Monday.

"Fasten your seats belts," Robert Greenblatt, NBC's entertainment chairman, said in a statement.

The creator and star of the British version of "The Office" endeared himself to some and offended others when he hosted the ceremony from 2010 to 2012. He follows Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who, this past January, wrapped their own three-year stint co-hosting the event that honors excellence in cinema and television.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which organizes the ceremony and votes on its winners, suggested Gervais' return will be must-see TV.

"Ricky Gervais left us with a lasting impression and we are thrilled to have him back in our show as we honor the best in film and television," said Lorenzo Soria in a statement. "His off-the-cuff wit and quirky charm will surely have the room and audiences around the world at the edge of their seats."

On social media, Gervais reveled in the official announcement, which he believed would "raise anxiety" with every retweet.

And with the holiday season approaching, the three-time Golden Globe Award winner likened himself to jolly ol' St. Nick.

Although the news may be shocking to some, TODAY viewers may have seen this coming as far back as June of 2014, when co-anchor Carson Daly asked if he thought he'd be back to host the awards show.

"Yeah," Gervais told Daly, who'd been asking him fan questions. "I'll do it in a while."

The 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony is scheduled to air Sunday, Jan. 10 on NBC.

Follow TODAY.com writer Chris Serico on Twitter.