By Simon Cable
Last updated at 6:43 PM on 20th January 2011
Ricky Gervais has defended his controversial performance at the Golden Globes, claiming it was his job to ‘roast’ the stars at the ceremony.
The comedian, who was hosting the prestigious awards show on Sunday night, has been heavily criticised for aiming a succession of barbed personal jokes at many of the gathered celebrities.
However, in an interview with Piers Morgan, due to be screened on CNN international on Friday, the comic hit back at the criticism, saying: ‘I'm sorry if they were offended but I'm not sorry for anything I said.
'They hired me for a job and if they didn’t want me, they shouldn’t have hired me.
Picture of health: Ricky Gervais showed how he maintains his new slimline physique as he went running in New York yesterday
During the three-hour ceremony, the 49-year-old shocked the Beverly Hills audience, by referring to one film featuring 'two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay.’ He added: ‘So the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists then'.
Gervais also introduced Robert Downey Jr by saying: 'Many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail.'
He vanished from the stage in the middle of the ceremony, leading to speculation that he had been reprimanded by members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organisation who run the event.
‘I don’t think I did anything wrong, honestly. Those were like jibes at these people and I’m sure they’ve got a sense of humour.’
He was then asked by Morgan: ‘Is anything like that ever off limits? Do you care what they are going through in their private lives?’
Unapologetic: Ricky will be seen telling Piers Morgan he remains unrepentant about his controversial comments while hosting the Golden Globes
Gervais replied: ‘Well, I don’t know if they have an addiction. Also, I’m not judging them. I’m not judging them for what they did. I’m not mocking them. I’m confronting the elephant in the room.
‘They hired me. Like I’m going to go out there and not talk about the issues in their industry.
‘Don’t forget, I’ve got to be an outsider there. I mustn’t come out there as everyone’s mate and schmooze. That’s nauseating. I’ve got to come out there and I’ve got to roast them.’
A spokesman for the HFPA said yesterday (Thurs): ‘When you hire a comedian like Ricky Gervais, one expects in your face, sometimes outrageous material.
‘Certainly, in this case, he pushed the envelope and occasionally went too far. The HFPA would never condone some of his personal remarks. Overall, however, the show was among the best we've ever had and we were pleased.’
What a difference: Ricky looks much better than he used to before he overhauled his diet and exercise regime
It is the second time that Gervais has presented the Golden Globe Awards. Last year he made gave an equally controversial performance, which again included a series of risqué jokes about Hollywood stars.
He told the crowd: ‘I like a drink as much as the next man, unless the next man is Mel Gibson,’ a reference to the actor’s drunken arrest in 2006.
He also made a quip about Sir Paul McCartney’s bitter £24million divorce from Heather Mills, saying: ‘We actually came over on the same flight, but I didn’t get to speak to him. I was up in the front in first class and he was behind me in coach saving money. He spent an awful lot last year.’
Slim: Ricky posted a funny picture of himself in gold pants lastGervais has revealed exactly how he stays thin by pounding the New York streets for an early-morning run.
Yesterday the 49-year-old comedian looked the picture of health and smiled for photographers as he listened to music and ran along the sidewalks of Manhattan, wearing an all-black tracksuit.
On Sunday he showed off his new slimline physique at the Golden Globes after losing a huge amount of weight.
And now Gervais has revealed exactly how he stays thin by pounding the New York streets for an early-morning run.
Gervais admitted last year it was when he sat and ate 11 sausages in two days when he realised he needed to change his lifestyle.
He said: 'The two days before I went healthy I had 11 sausages. I couldn't stop eating them, I felt really ill, really bad and I had to lay there for a couple of hours, like a snake just trying to digest it.
'It was just after Christmas, a few days before I thought right, that's ridiculous. I think I hit 14 stone.'
But now Gervais, who has lost over a stone since he rethought his diet, is sticking to his new regime and has even had a gym installed at his house in London.
He explained: 'I have got fit after running around Hampstead. I also have a gym in my house - well it is a bit like a spa. But I really work out.
'Its nothing to do with Hollywood or looking good. This is a health thing. I thought enough is enough. I need to look after myself. I am nearly 50 - I don't want to die.
'I work out for an hour a day. I have lost about 20lbs. I think that is enough. I haven't stopped eating anything - it is just exercise.'
Meanwhile, it has been announced that Gervais will reprise his role as David Brent in the US version of his BBC show The Office.
Gervais, who co-created The Office with comedy partner Stephen Merchant and is now an executive producer on the US series, will appear as Brent in a cameo role on 27th January in America.
Brent is back: Ricky will be reprising his role as David Brent in a cameo role on the US version of The Office, which stars Steve Carrell, on January 27th
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