Mo Gilligan is the top contender to replace James Corden on his beloved Late Late Show, according to a new report.
Corden, 43, announced in April that he would be leaving his American talk show next year, as he plans to move back to the UK after spending nearly a decade in the US with his family.
And now, it is alleged that Gilligan is being eyed up by show bosses to make the move Stateside.
A TV insider said: “TV execs can’t get enough of Mo.
“They appreciate that, like James when he first started, Mo’s currently not a household name in the US but he’s got the potential to be.
“A shortlist of replacements for James is being drawn up and Mo is at the top of the list,” the source told The Sun.
Gilligan’s big break came in 2017, when he was spotted by rapper Drake, who quoted some of the 34-year-old’s comedy on his Instagram after seeing his stand-up routine online.
Speaking to The FADER at the time, the comedian said: “It’s amazing that someone like Drake, a platinum selling musician, has taken the time out to watch my stuff, let alone quote me in a picture with himself and Giggs for the world to see.”
Since then, the TV star has enjoyed much success who is co-hosting The Big Narstie Show and The Lateish Show, in which he won a BAFTA for.
He is also a judge on The Masked Singer, presented this year’s BRIT Awards and even fronted a new instalment of The Big Breakfast.
The Evening Standard has contacted Mo Gilligan’s rep for comment.
In September, James Corden said he quit the The Late Late Show because it felt like “a greater risk to stay”.
The British star, 44, hosted the American talk show since March 2015, becoming a household name in the country, but announced he was stepping down in April this year.
Corden is said to have extended his contract with CBS to present the show for one more year before finishing in the summer of 2023.
Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s This Cultural Life, he was asked whether he worried his persona as a chat show host stops people seeing him as the kind of performer he would like to be.
He said: “Honestly, I don’t know. I guess we’re about to find out.
“Look, I’m aware that this isn’t a road often travelled. I’m aware that there’s not a plethora of people who have walked away from these late night talk shows, ever. I get why they wouldn’t walk away. It’s amazing.
“And for me really the reason to leave is the same as the reason to do it, which is, I wonder if this is possible. And if this is it then, do you know what, it’s been quite a ride anyway. I get that it will be difficult.”
Asked whether he felt it was a risk leaving the show, Corden replied: “No. I think it’s a greater risk to stay. There’s an amazing clip, in which David Bowie talks about never playing to the gallery.
“On the day of the announcement that I was going to walk away, it was still made very clear to me that there was a job here for the next five years and I’m not gonna lie, financially it’s good.”
Corden has enjoyed success with the programme featuring scores of celebrity guests and special segments.
His popular Carpool Karaoke series, in which he drives to work with different musicians, singing with them over the radio and discussing their careers, has included Adele, Billie Eilish, Sir Paul McCartney and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
