An emotional James Corden was left in tears last night while signing off on his final The Late Late Show after eight years at the helm, as he prepares to return to the UK and regain favour among the British public.
The 44-year-old TV personality ended his run on US late night television yesterday by performing a piano ballad with several references to his 1,200 episodes. His final guests included his pop megastar friend Harry Styles and comedian Will Ferrell, messages of support from President Joe Biden and a Carpool Karaoke with Adele.
PR experts have claimed Corden could be set for a big-money move to ITV and even replace rival Jonathan Ross as part of a charm offensive to ‘win back the British public’ after a slew of negative headlines while in the US.
Toward the end of the musical number last night, Corden’s voice began to crack and tears welled up in his eyes as he looked into the camera. He sang: ‘And part of me thinks why not stay here forever? But deep in my heart, I just know. No more shows to be showing. It’s time I was going. It’s time. Thanks for watching, that’s our show.’ The crowd uproariously applauded and gave him a standing ovation as the star waved goodbye for the final time.
He said: ‘Thank you so much for your time, everybody. I will miss you. Goodnight.’ The Into The Woods star pointed to the camera before turning to his audience and giving them a salute. He wiped the tears away with his jacket sleeve as he made his way to the curtain and gave one final wave at the audience while taking the moment in.
The actor and presenter said he decided to quit the show and wanted to spend more time with his family after a heartfelt conversation with his son, Max. But in recent months he has been beset with negative press about his off-screen antics, including a bust-up with the owner of a restaurant who banned him for being rude to staff.
After first finding fame on British TV with roles in Hollyoaks and Gavin & Stacey, Corden schmoozed his way into LA life, amassing a £50million fortune showing off his glitzy life while interviewing Prince Harry on a bus.
But now the father-of-three from High Wycombe is now tearfully bidding farewell to the States, where his wife Julia has set up a global interior design business that counts the Beckhams and the Clooneys among its clientele.
Despite insisting he was not motivated by money, PR experts say that Corden will waste no time attempting to regain favour among the British public. Reputation gurus have suggested Corden could attempt to re-launch his career in the UK by returning to the stage, appearing on reality shows or even accepting a talk show on ITV.
Emotional: James Corden teared up as he signed off on his The Late Late Show hosting gig after eight years
Final show: For his last ever show, James welcomed his pal Harry Styles and Will Ferrell for a chat on the sofa
What a way to go out: James ended his run on US late night television by performing a piano ballad with several references to his 1,200 episodes over the years
Popular culture and brand expert Nick Ede said that Britain will be the hardest place for Corden to win back hearts and minds, and can only do this by ‘going back to basics’. Mr Ede said: ‘I think that James Corden coming back to the UK is going to be a difficult road for him to navigate.
‘He has proved himself to be a big star but he needs to win back the British public by going back to basics, which he is doing by eyeing up and reprising his role in One Man, Two Guvnors and more acting roles.
‘His persona as a host in the USA worked wonders but his off screen antics have proved problematic and he needs to charm his way back into the public to gain real popularity, not notoriety’.
But he said there is still hope for him, with Mr Ede saying he thinks ‘the public can be won over by him’.
He said: ‘He’s talented and he’s seen as a national treasure by many because of Gavin & Stacey. Going back to his roots and being humble will keep the fans happy – but he still has work to do to get there.’
This could involve a return to the stage, where he made a name for himself in The History Boys and One Man, Two Guvnors, and Corden himself previously told Variety he would ‘love’ to go back to Broadway shortly after announcing his decision to quit.
Corden, who first became a household name after creating hit comedy Gavin & Stacey with Ruth Jones, could also go back to the screen.
Last year he starred in and produced black comedy series Mammals, while he also had roles in Cinderella and Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway in 2021. However, as of yet, it doesn’t seem like he is attached to any upcoming projects.
For his final Late Late Show last night, Cordon was joined by Styles and Hollywood actor Ferrell, 55, and they played a final game of Spill Your Guts Or Fill Your Guts.
‘Yes or no, will there be a One Direction reunion?,’ Styles said to wild applause from the studio audience in Los Angeles.
‘I would never say never to that. I think if there was a time where we all felt like that was what we wanted to do, then I don’t see why we wouldn’t,’ the Watermelon Sugar hitmaker answered.
Styles has been a frequent visitor to the show, and has even guest-hosted twice. He’s been game for a number of taped bits with Corden, who is leaving to spend more time with his family in the UK, including the time the host directed a music video for Styles’ song Daylight for just $300.
The former X Factor contestant also took part in a more than 11-minute segment featuring a UK Vs. US dodgeball game where Corden, Styles, ‘Games of Thrones’ actor James Bradley and Benedict Cumberbatch faced off against players including Michelle Obama, Mila Kunis, Kate Hudson, Lena Waithe, and Melissa McCarthy.
Waking up: Adele woke up James for a final segment of Carpool Karaoke – his most popular sketch where he drives around Los Angeles with celebrities and sing songs
Best friends: The singer was incredibly emotional as she joined James for his final show in a pre-recorded segment
Emotional: As James said farewell for the last time with a musical number his voice began to crack and tears welled up in his eyes as he looked straight into the camera
‘As a friend, I’m so incredibly proud of you,’ Styles told Corden. ‘On a personal note, you’ve been a safe space to me always as a friend.’ He added that he was ´’selfishly very excited that you’re coming home.’
Styles, Corden and Ferrell then embraced in a group hug.
Corden used part of his farewell speech on his final episode to address the deep rift in America over hot button issues including politics and ideology.
‘We started this show with Obama, then Trump and a global pandemic. I’ve watched America change a lot. I’ve watched divisions grow and I’ve felt a sense of negativity boil over,’ said the host. He implored his audience to ‘remember what America signifies to the rest of the world. My entire life it has always been a place of optimism. … Yes, it has flaws but show me a place that doesn’t. Show me a person that doesn’t.
‘Just because somebody disagrees with you it doesn´t make them bad or evil. We are all more the same than we are different. There are so many people who are trying to stoke those differences and we have to try as best we can to look for the light, look for the joy. If you do, it´s out there. That´s all this show has ever been about,’ he said.
Corden announced one year ago that he would be ending his late-night show after eight seasons, citing a desire to return to his native UK to be closer to family and loved ones. His parents were seated in the audience for the final taping, and his sisters, he joked, were in town too — but at a bar instead.
Game segment: Harry asked if there was ever going to be a One Direction reunion while playing a final game of Spill Your Guts Or Fill Your Guts with host James, 44, and fellow final guest Will, 55
Gross food: James, Harry and Will had the option of answering a question or eating Bull Penis, Salmon, Clam Juice & Wasabi Smoothie and Bug Trifle
Frequent visitor: Styles has been a frequent visitor to the show and once took part in a more than 11-minute segment featuring a UK Vs. US dodgeball game with a host of stars
Farewell speech: Corden used part of his farewell speech on his final episode to address the deep rift in America over hot button issues including politics and ideology
Styles and Farrell weren’t the only people of stature who were featured on the episode as US President Joe Biden joined the star-studded affair.
The President didn’t drop by the studio, but instead filmed a short video appreciation of Corden’s eight-year stint on the series from what appeared to be the White House.
During his speech, in which he thanked the 44-year-old host for ‘all the joy you’ve brought to homes across America.’
Biden joined several film and television shows sending Corden off in style, including his old pal Tom Cruise, who performed in the Lion King stage musical with the host during a prime time special, as well as Will Ferrell and Harry Styles in the episode proper.
Corden appeared to be surprised to see a video message from Biden, and he said ‘Stop’ in shock once he saw footage of the White House.
Honored: President Joe Biden joined James Corden’s star-studded final episode of The Late Late Show on Thursday night
Virtual appearance: The President didn’t drop by the studio, but instead filmed a short video appreciation of Corden’s eight-year stint on the series from what appeared to be the White House
He was so overwhelmed by the honor that he put his head down on his desk as the President began to address him.
Biden congratulated him on his ‘incredible run’ of ‘1200 shows in eight years.’
But then he looked back on Corden’s visit to the White House in 2022, when he played the role of an intern and assistant to Biden.
The hilarious clip showed Corden presenting the President with an edible arrangement of fruits.
‘This… is both a snack… and… a gift,’ he said with overly dramatic pauses as he placed it on the Resolute desk in the Oval Office.
‘Who is that guy?’ the President asked with perfect comic timing after Corden stepped out.
In the new clip, Biden ribbed Corden by saying, ‘I’m surprised you lasted eight years at any job!’
The message also included a sweet photo of Corden and his bandleader Reggie Watts, along with a photo of the entire crew on set.
A quick montage featured some of Corden best moments as host, including his sky-diving segment with Tom Cruise, a musical performance in Manhattan with Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron, the time he presented a horrible bust of David Beckham to the soccer superstar, and a Carpool Karaoke segment in which he wore a too-tight Sgt. Peppers uniform while joined by Paul McCartney.
‘And a special thanks for never asking me to sing in the car,’ Biden added to laughter from the audience over a montage of Carpool Karaoke segments. ‘I can’t sing worth a damn.’
The clip ended with footage from Corden’s previous trip to the White House showing him and Biden both putting on a pair of the President’s preferred aviator sunglasses.
Sweet: During his speech, in which he thanked the 44-year-old host for ‘all the joy you’ve brought to homes across America’
Too much to handle: Corden was so overwhelmed by the honor that he put his head down on his desk as the President began to address him
Having a laugh: Biden looked back on Corden’s visit to the White House in 2022, when he played the role of an intern and assistant to Biden. The hilarious clip showed Corden presenting the President with an edible arrangement of fruits
The whole gang: The message also included a sweet photo of Corden and his bandleader Reggie Watts, along with a photo of the entire crew on set
No thanks: Amid a Carpool Karaoke montage, Biden joked, ‘And a special thanks for never asking me to sing in the…
