Golden Globes 2017: Jimmy Fallon to take over from Ricky Gervais as host

The Tonight Show host's appointment marks a safe departure from recent presenting choices

US network NBC has announced that chatshow host Jimmy Fallon will host next year's Golden Globes, the January award ceremony honouring the best in film and television from the year just gone.

This will be The Tonight Show presenter's first time hosting the ceremony; he previously fronted the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2010.

The comedian will take over from Ricky Gervais who hosted this year's ceremony for the fourth time; across his tenure, the David Brent actor sparked controversy with his no-nonsense joke-telling at the expense of the nominated celebrities.

Fallon is a much safer appointment for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) - the event's award-pickers - who also struggled to escape Gervais' target. The inoffensive former Saturday Night Live comedian - whose late-night chat show is the US' most watched - is known for his 'friend-to-the-stars' approach, collaborating with his guests in creative viral-friendly games including Wheel of Musical Impressions.

The news was announced by NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt at the network's Television Critics Association Summer Tour. Fallon then went on to confirm the news himself via Twitter where he made a quip about Donald Trump - perhaps in a bid to prove he's willing to garner a little controversy.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler consecutively hosted the three-hour ceremony from 2013-15. Nominations for the ceremony, which kick starts awards season, will be announced 12 December.

The 2017 Golden Globes will air 8 January in the US on NBC.