James Corden has revealed his decision to quit The Late Late Show and move back to the UK came after a series of family health scares. The star, who reportedly turned down a £40 million deal to keep hosting the US chat show, said no amount of money could replace being able to spontaneously call his dad and invite him out for lunch.
James, 44, whose last show for CBS went out on Thursday night, April 27, said: “There are people at home who are getting older. And we really felt that during Covid, there were a couple of health things that came along that made us just feel like… there were too many signs telling us to go home.”
James has previously said he was returning to Britain with wife Julia and their children Max, 11, Carey, eight, and five-year-old Charlotte to focus on family life. But on US radio show Sirius FM, he told how he also wants to spend more time with his parents, Malcolm and Margaret, reports the Mirror.
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James said: “If I allow myself to think about the financial aspects of walking away, it makes my chest tight – because who would? But the truth is, it is time with my parents. [It’s being] able to call my dad on a Thursday and go, ‘You want to go for lunch?’
“One day… the phone’s going to ring and that option is not going to be there anymore. And to have missed out on those moments in exchange for money doesn’t feel like a good decision.” James’ kids also played a part in his decision to move away from the US after eight years.
He said: “My wife and I said five years ago, when Max finishes sixth grade… that is a real moment. To move 14, 15, 16-year-olds around felt unfair. So if we were going to stay, we’d be in Los Angeles for 20 years.
“The absolute crux of the decision is, ‘Where do we want to raise these people we brought into the world?’” James’ final Late Late Show featured a chat with his pop star pal Harry Styles and a tribute VT from US President Joe Biden.
The comic said of his stint on the show: “It’s the best job I’ve ever had. I have nothing but pride and gratitude for all of it.”
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