Look who is back! Ricky Gervais, the enfant terrible of the Golden Globes, is set to return as host of the awards show January 10. Gervais was the first emcee in a very long time for the Globes when he was tapped for the gig in 2010. He shocked Hollywood with his pointed barbs, making headlines, drawing big ratings and leading to then-HFPA President Phillip Berk’s comment after the 2011 show that The Office star had “crossed the line.” But Gervais was back by popular demand for one more hosting turn in 2012 before he passed the baton to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who hosted the event the last three years to strong reviews.

Gervais had vowed to never host the Globes again. Still, he has been a standout as a presenter at every awards show he has attended, with his bits going viral, keeping him very much in the conversation for any top awards-show hosting gigs. The HFPA is expected to announce his return as Golden Globes host shortly with a tease (on left).

“Tina and Amy are a hard act to follow but Ricky is completely fearless and entirely up for the job,” NBC’s president of alternative and late-night Paul Telegdy said. “He always did us proud. Welcome back, Ricky.”

I hear Gervais was approached to return by NBC, with the support of the HFPA and dick clark prods., which produces the telecast. After some soul searching, Gervais sparked to the challenge.

Related Story Golden Globes 2016 Date & Timeline Set - Update

“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 HFPA president Lorenzo Soria. “His off-the-cuff wit and quirky charm will surely have the room and audiences around the world at the edge of their seats.”

Over the 2010-12 span, the Globes hosted by Gervais averaged a 5.2 rating in the 18-49 demo and 17 million viewers overall, which was a 6% increase from the 2009 telecast in the demo and 14% or 2.1 million persons in total viewers. Watch his 2012 monologue below.

“What will he say? What will he do? We can’t wait to find out, and we are so happy that he’s back!,” said Barry Adelman, EVP Television for dick clark productions and executive producer of the 73rd annual Golden Globe Awards.

Soria and Adelman executive produce alongside dick clark prods. CEO Allen Shapiro and president Mike Mahan.