Ricky Gervais has said he tries to make his awards ceremony speeches a “spectator sport”.
The actor and comedian, 58, is hosting the Golden Globe awards for a fifth time in 2020 despite previously saying he never would ever again.
But now Gervais has given an insight into his writing process – revealing that he has his jokes checked by lawyers before going live with the speeches.
Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, Gervais said: “The first time I did it I thought, ‘Shall I do it for the 200 egos in the room or for the 200 million watching at home?’
“It’s no contest, and I try and make it a spectator sport.”
He added: ““I do have to show my script to a lawyer at the last minute. They don’t change anything because I know the law and what I can get away with.
“I’ve never libelled anyone, and I’ve never had a complaint upheld!
“People asked me why I go to so much trouble to offend people and I said, ‘It’s no trouble. It’s easy’.”
Gervais has previously been nominated for three Golden Globes in the Best Actor in a comedy or musical series category for his work in The Office, Extras and Derek. He won the award in 2004 for The Office.
Next month, he will be awarded the Performance of the Year Award at the Rose d’Or awards, held in London.
He is being handed the gong for his Netflix series Tony in After Life, which he stars in, writes and directs.
In After Life, Tony has lost his wife and is trying to punish the world one savage put-down at a time. He thinks of it as a superpower, not caring about himself or anybody else, but it ends up being trickier than he imagines, as his friends and family try to save the nice guy that they used to know.
Sofia Helin, chairman of the Rose d’Or Jury said: "After Life’s first season moves between dark comedy and affecting drama, Ricky gives a stand-out performance, bringing a new dimension to his talent."
Gervais is joined on Norton's sofa tonight with Racing champion Lewis Hamilton, director Elizabeth Banks and popstar Kylie Minogue, who will also be performing.
The Graham Norton Show airs on BBC One tonight at 10.40pm.
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