AFP - British comic Ricky Gervais will host the Golden Globes film awards again next year, organizers said Wednesday, despite having ruffled a few feathers with his edgy humor last year.

"After weeks of rumors, it?s finally official -- Ricky Gervais will be back to host the Golden Globes for a third year," said a statement by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which organizes the annual awards.

The decision was taken after talks with US broadcaster NBC, which airs the event to be held January 15.

"While many welcome Gervais's return, not everyone is happy with the decision because last year his blunt one-liners targeting big-name celebrities caused anger and resentment in some quarters," the HFPA said.

It noted that Gervais, creator of hit comedies including "The Office" and "Extras," had initially dismissed the possibility of presenting the Globes again amid the furor over last year's show.

"But he gradually warmed to the idea and last month met with HFPA president Dr Aida Takla-O'Reilly in Paris to discuss it," the statement added.

Minutes after the announcement, Gervais took a dig at Billy Crystal, named last week to host the Academy Awards, the climax of Hollywood's annual awards season due on February 26.

"Just told Billy Crystal he'd better not use any of my Holocaust or pedophile material at The Oscars. He agreed (true)," Gervais wrote on his Twitter feed.

Gervais came under fire for remarks about Mel Gibson's alleged anti-Semitism, Robert Downey Jr's past drug problems and Charlie Sheen's reputation for drinking.

He also took a shot at the HFPA for allegedly taking bribes, and quipped that before coming on stage, he had to get HFPA head Berk "off the toilet and pop his teeth back in."

The British comic, who has become a major star in Hollywood, has insisted no one took offense. "I have yet to find anyone who was actually offended by it," he said.