Secrets of James Corden’s Late Late Show revealed including most nerve-wracking interview and best Carpool Karaoke guest
HE has enjoyed afternoon tea on a double decker bus with Prince Harry, played tattoo roulette with One Direction and rapped with acting legend Dame Helen Mirren.
But on Thursday the curtain came down on James Corden’s last ever Late Late Show after eight glorious years.
James, 44, is returning to the UK to focus on his family, including wife Julia and their three children, and look for fresh challenges in his career.
Looking back at his record-breaking time as host of the cult American show, James revealed he never could have foreseen its success.
In an exclusive interview, James explains: “If I said 20 years ago that I would like to be the host of a late night talk show, people would have been like, ‘Good luck with that’.
“The whole eight years has been a constant feeling of, ‘I am from High Wickham, I don’t know why I am here’.
“I feel so lucky. Every inch of this has been amazing.”
To celebrate the final show, James takes a trip down memory lane.
Favourite memory:
Driving with Macca
“It would probably be driving around Liverpool with Sir Paul McCartney. He was incredible.”
Proudest moment for parents:
Presenting The Grammys
“The moment for them was when I hosted either the Grammys at Madison Square Garden or the Tony’s at the Radio City Music Hall.
“I think they were like, ‘Oh s**t!’”
Most nerve-racking moment:
Meeting Joe Biden
“Shooting with Joe Biden in the oval office.
“For obvious reasons we only had a very set amount of time in the Oval Office.
“Being in there with the President of the United States – and him talking about bits on our show.
“He was amazing and fantastic, I could not speak more highly of him and his whole team – just brilliant.”
Worst experience:
Djokovic firing balls at me
“We have had so many things where I have been hoisted up and Steph Curry throws basketballs at me.
“Or Novak Djokovic fires tennis balls at my head. They are always pretty scary.”
Greatest Carpool Karaoke guest:
Michelle Obama
“Adele was pretty extraordinary and Bruno Mars was great.
“But Michelle Obama is probably the one because that was like, the call came into us and it was her team saying, ‘The First Lady would like to do this’.
“It was like, ‘Oh wow’. That was great.”
Most outlandish rider:
Dominic Cooper
“Dominic Cooper. We used to live together so he asked for a very particular champagne and caviar.
“Our booker said, ‘This is what Dominic Cooper has requested,’ and I said, ‘I will buy it’.”
Star that never aligned:
Mick Jagger
“We had a long chat with Mick Jagger about doing it (Carpool Karaoke) and we got pretty close with Bruce Springsteen.
“I think we got kind of close on a few people but so often it’s scheduling and logistics and all that stuff.
“The Rolling Stones would have been fun.”