James Corden DELAYS theatre show to watch England’s nail-biting Euros penalties on iPad from the stage
JAMES Corden hilariously held up his West End play on Saturday – so he could enjoy the Euros match with the audience.
The actor, 45, moved back to the UK from Los Angeles last year, and wanted to make sure he didn’t miss the essential England v Switzerland match.
Currently starring in The Constituent at London’s Old Vic Theatre, James appeared on-stage with an iPad, setting it up on the central table so the audience could get in on the action as well.
When the iPad lost signal, an audience member jumped to the rescue, hopping up on stage to stream the match on his phone.
James was then seen jumping up and down and punching his fists in the air as the England team won on penalties.
Audience member Becky Harris later told Metro.co.uk of the moment: “What were the chances! James was at the side of the stage just before [the show] was due to start with his iPad watching the game.
“Then he came out as the crowd started calling him and he brought the iPad out on stage and he and his co-star streamed the penalties.”
Delighted fans filmed the whole incident on their phone, later posting it online.
James is currently starring in The Constituent – his first appearance on the West End stage since his widely successful One Man, Two Guvnors run in 2011.
The play stars Motherland and Line Of Duty’s Anna Maxwell Martin as a hardworking MP, whose life in public office is tested by the “demands of a man in crisis”, Alec, who is played by James.
Zachary Hart completes the three-man show as Mellor, and was also on stage as the Euros screening played out.
His time in the play comes as he prepares to say goodbye to the much-loved series Gavin and Stacey, which will air its finale on Christmas Day.
Creating the show alongside Ruth Jones, who is also on the West End in Sister Act: The Musical, the pair announced the news at the beginning of May.
It is expected filming will commence after the end of his run on the West End in August.
The script is being kept so top secret, Ruth has joked she’s started lying about the ending to fans who want answers.