Ricky Gervais made brutal joke towards Johnny Depp that even he admitted he ‘felt bad about’

No one is safe from Ricky Gervais' sharp wit, but you're really putting yourself in the firing line if you attend an award show he's hosting.

Just ask Johnny Depp, who got absolutely roasted by the British comedian in front of his Hollywood pals at the 2011 Golden Globes.

Take a look at this:

As we all know, Gervais doesn't hold back when he's given a mic, a podium and a license to poke fun at famous faces for the purpose of entertainment.

Controversial doesn't cut it when it comes to describing his presenting style, but no one can deny that the After Life actor can certainly hold the attention of a crowd.

Which is probably why he was invited back to host the Golden Globes five times - in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2020 - even if some celebs were left squirming in their seats as a result.

During his second stint as the ringmaster at the prestigious awards ceremony, Gervais' opening monologue was brimming with savage barbs directed at some of the world's most prominent stars.

Despite each eyebrow-raising joke being welcomed by gasps of shock from the audience, there was only one wisecrack which Gervais admitted he actually felt bad about saying.

Gervais said he 'felt bad' about cracking a joke at Depp's expense (Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

The 63-year-old decided to tease Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie about their lacklustre performances in the 2010 film, The Tourist.

Gervais told the star-studded audience: "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."

While the audience chuckled, he went on: "I feel bad about that joke.

"I’ll tell you why, because I’m jumping on the bandwagon. I haven’t even seen The Tourist...Who has?"

A double blow for Depp. Savage.

But Gervais wasn't done there.

The actor and the comedian pictured at the Golden Globes together in 2012 (Paul Drinkwater/NBC via Getty Images)

The comedian continued: "It must be good, because it's nominated - so shut up!

"And I'd like to quash this ridiculous rumour going around that the only reason The Tourist was nominated was so the Hollywood Foreign Press could hang out with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.

"That is rubbish! That is not the only reason. They also accepted bribes."

Depp seemed to take the ribbing on the chin and was seen smiling when the camera panned to him, clearly aware that revenge is a dish best served cold.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor, 61, got his own back on Gervais while appearing on his BBC series Life’s Too Short a few months later.

Take a look at Depp's retort here:

The tongue-in-cheek segment saw Depp, Gervais, Warwick Davis and Stephen Merchant sit down together to chat about the entertainment industry.

But Depp was being blatantly hostile towards the comedian, so Gervais decided to ask him had he done anything to upset him.

Comedically, the actor then replied: "What do you mean? Like trashing me in front of 200 million people at the Golden Globes?

"I actually got together with a few pals after the awards, and we wrote some jokes about you.

"I want you to know this, and I want you to carry this with you for the rest of your days: No one makes fun of Tim Allen on my watch, and gets away with it."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a perfect example of how to take a joke.