Ricky Gervais' most brutal jokes and celebrity roasts at the Golden Globes

After taking to the podium at the prestigious awards ceremony on five separate occasions - in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2020, the British actor, comedian and writer has gained a reputation for his savage digs.

During his final stint as host three years ago, Gervais went out with a bang by being as controversial as humanly possible.

He took a swipe at basically everyone, as he hosted the 77th awards ceremony in January 2020, including jokes about Jeffrey Epstein, Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriends, the cast of the five-time nominated film The Irishman, films about paedophilia and James Corden in Cats.

Jeffrey Epstein 'didn't kill himself'

"You could binge-watch the entire first season of After Life instead of watching this show," he jokes. "That’s a show about a man who wants to kill himself cause his wife dies of cancer and it’s still more fun than this.

"Spoiler alert, season two is on the way so, in the end, he obviously didn’t kill himself. Just like Jeffrey Epstein. Shut up. I know he’s your friend but I don’t care."

James Corden and Dame Judi Dench in Cats

Even though the film itself didn't get any nominations - unless you count the nod for Best Original Song for Lloyd Webber and Taylor Swift - Gervais didn't hold back in his 2020 monologue.

"The world got to see James Corden as a fat pussy. He was also in the movie Cats," he said, throwing shots at the Gavin & Stacey star.

"No one saw that movie. And the reviews, shocking. I saw one that said, 'This is the worst thing to happen to cats since dogs'.

"But Dame Judi Dench defended the film saying it was the film she was born to play because she loves nothing better than plonking herself down on the carpet, lifting her leg and licking her own minge. (Coughs.) Hairball. She’s old-school."

All the movies about paedophilia

Also at the 2020 ceremony, Gervais joked about the number of films about paedophilia that had been released in the past year. Including Surviving R. Kelly, Leaving Neverland and The Two Popes that all got a dishonourable shoutout.

“But tonight isn’t just about the people in front of the camera,” he began. “In this room are some of the most important TV and film executives in the world. People from every background."

Mel Gibson's drinking

Standing behind a podium with a glass of beer in his hand, the host told the audience: “Honestly, I like a drink as much as the next man. Unless the next man is Mel Gibson.”

In 2006, Gibson apologised for his ‘despicable’ remark after he was arrested for a DUI and made anti-Semitic remarks.

Gervais referenced the joke when introducing Gibson again in 2016. “Listen, I still feel a bit bad for it,” he shared. “Mel’s forgotten all about it, apparently. That’s what drinking does.”

Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriends

Notorious ladies man Leonardo Di Caprio didn't escape the attention go Gervais either.

He joked: “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, nearly three hours long. Leonardo DiCaprio attended the premiere and by the end his date was too old for him.

DiCaprio laughed in the audience as Gervais added: "Even Prince Andrew was like, ‘Come on, Leo, mate. You’re nearly 50-something.’”

Gervais will certainly be missed at this year's ceremony, maybe just not by some of the most famous attendees.