James Corden has revealed that he'll be leaving The Late Late Show next year. His contract on the US talk show was set to end in August, however, he has announced that he will stay until next spring having extended his contract with CBS.
The Gavin and Stacey creator and star moved across the pond to host his primetime show six years ago. He took over as presenter of The Late Late Show in 2015 from Scottish-born comedian Craig Ferguson, who spent 10 years as host.
Revealing the news of his impending departure personally during the latest episode talk-show, a teary James said the programme had "changed my life" and promised there would be "lots of tears" when his tenure came to an end.
"Seven and half years ago I started hosting this show and there’s no other way to put it, it has changed my life," the 43-year-old TV host said. " love it, I love all the people that work here, I am so proud of what we’ve achieved, it’s been beyond my wildest, wildest dreams.
"When I started this journey it was always going to be just that, a journey, an adventure. I never saw as it as my final destination, and I never want this show to overstay its welcome, I love making it and I really think in a year from now that will be a good time to move on and see what’s out there."
Despite his status as a British host of a US late night show, James has enjoyed immense success with the programme which features scores of celebrity guests and special segments. His popular Carpool Karaoke series, in which he drives to work with different musicians, singing their back catalogue over the radio and discussing their careers, has included Adele, Billie Eilish, Sir Paul McCartney and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
He promised viewers that his final 12 months would be full of fan favourites and "other surprises" which would be "a blast". "We are all determined to make this the best year we have ever had … we are going to go out with a bang,” he said. "There’s going to be carpools and crosswalks and sketches and other surprises and there will be tears, there will be so many tears.”
He added: "This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. I’ve never taken this job for granted. Ever. Not once. The fact that you watch this … all over the world … is an absolute privilege for me and every single person who makes this show. Here’s to the next twelve months and it’s going to be a blast, I promise you that."
It was reported back in October that bosses were keen to keep him at the helm of the popular series, offering huge money to get him to stay. However, a source close to the presenter has said that James and his wife Julia Carey want to spent more time in the UK with their family.
They told The Sun : "James and Jules have had barely any time to see their families in the UK over the past few years due to his work schedule. Their plan is to try to spend more time in the UK once he finishes The Late Late Show next year."
