Apparently the Hollywood Foreign Press Association didn't learn its lesson. After causing quite a stir on last year's Golden Globes with his unconventional hosting performance, Ricky Gervais has been invited back to host the 2012 awards ceremony.

Last January, after Gervais suffered attacks for his "mean-spirited" hosting gig, as Robert Downey, Jr. phrased it, there were mixed reports about the HFPA's reaction. Gervais claimed that they wanted him to come back, telling the U.K.'s Heat magazine, "The response was staggering. It was discussed on every news channel and chat show for weeks. The ratings went up again, and the organisers asked me to consider a third year." At the time, the HFPA denied the rumor, having publicly taken offense at Gervais' ceremonial antics, which included insults hurled at Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Bruce Willis, Cher, and former HFPA president Philip Berk. At the time, Berk said in a statement, "There is no truth to this rumor. We have not asked him to come back. Nice try, Ricky."

But now NBC and the HFPA have voted Gervais in, reports ComingSoon.net. Gervais confirmed on his Twitter account. "Just told Billy Crystal he'd better not use any of my Holocaust or pedophile material at The Oscars. He agreed (true)," the comedian tweeted. Gervais also posted a video of his controversial opening monologue from the 2011 Globes, saying that he promises "This (times) 10 for his upcoming performance."

The 2012 Golden Globes will air live on NBC on January 15.

Watch Gervais' opening monologue from last year here:

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