Rumors Fly When Ricky Gervais Goes MIA at the Golden Globes

Where did the British host disappear to for an hour?

Those tuned into the Golden Globes Sunday night may have noticed that host Ricky Gervais mysteriously disappeared for about an hour during the awards ceremony.

No, the British "Office" star was not fired midway through show, despite his harsh witticisms. But that didn't stop rumors from spreading on Twitter as viewers mocked his lengthy absence.

"I did every single introduction I was meant to," Gervais said in a statement to Mediaite after speculation about his absence in the press. "There just happened to be a long gap. This is because I was allowed to choose who I would introduce in advance. I obviously chose presenters who I had the best jokes for. (And who I knew had a good sense of humour). Everyone took it well and the atmosphere backstage and at the after show was great.”

New CNN host Piers Morgan set the tune to a conversation during the Golden Globes on Twitter, writing "Gervais not seen for an hour now. #whatthehellhappened."

Others speculated that the outspoken Golden Globes host got drunk, was kidnapped by Scientologists after mocking them onstage, or was fired before the show concluded. Some went so far to begin hashtag "#RIPRickyGervais."

"Others have joked but I think it is getting to the point where it may be true... did HFPA fire Gervais midway through the show??" tweeted Hollywood publicist Lewis Kay.

Gervais had teased the past few weeks that his last year hosting the 'Globes was going to end with a bang. But many of his quips had celebrities shocked and gaping.

"It's going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking," began Gervais in the show. "Or, as Charlie Sheen calls it, breakfast."

No one was immune to Gervais' scathing tongue. The actor took stabs at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for allegedly accepting bribes, called Bruce Willis "Ashton Kutcher's dad," and was relentless in attacking the "Sex and the City" leading ladies.

"There were a lot of big films that didn't get nominated this year, nothing for 'Sex and the City 2.'" Gervais quipped. "No, I was sure the Golden Globe for special effects would go to the team that airbrushed that poster. Girls, we know how old you are."

But after that mysterious hour, Gervais did come back. Morgan said that he looked "haunted" upon his return and already had his first question ready for his CNN interview scheduled to air 9 p.m. this Thursday.

"1st question when Gervais appears on @pierstonight on Thurs -- what the hell did they do to you backstage for an hour?" Morgan tweeted.

But the British comic batted down the rumors and came out with a response early.

Selected Reading: The Hollywood Reporter, Mediaite, Piers Morgan Twitter Page

Contact Us