In June, 2014, a Walmart truck crashed into the comedian's limousine van, severely injuring Tracy and his two friends, and killing comedy writer James 'Jimmy MACk' MCNair. Tracy suffered severe brain trauma and a broken leg, and was in a coma for two weeks.

The comedian, who has been absent from TV screens since the crash, made his return to the U.S. comedy sketch show on Saturday (17Oct15).

He tweeted before the show was about to air, "You best be turning on your television in about an hour and watch me bring the funny on @nbcsnl! It's good to be home!!!! (sic)"

Tracy even managed to laugh off the accident, and began his opening monologue by pretending to have a speech impediment, before saying he was "just joking".

He told the audience, "I was in a terrible car accident more than a year ago. It was awful, but it also showed me how much love and support I have in this world.

"People are wondering, 'Can he speak? Does he have 100 per cent mental capacity?' The truth is, I never did. I might even be a few points higher."

Tracy was then reunited with his 30 Rock co-stars Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski and Jack MCBrayer for a sketch in which the comedian's character from the show, Tracy Jordan, nearly died.

After the skit, Tina sincerely welcomed her former co-star back without any need for laughs: "This is no joke. We're so happy you're okay. We're even happier you're ready to make people laugh again."

Later in the show, Tracy appeared alongside musical guest Demi Lovato, who played an alien opposite Tracy's promiscuous astronaut.

The comedian has been gearing up for his Saturday Night Live comeback and appeared at the Comedy Cellar in New York on 13 October (15) to perform stand-up for the first time since his accident.