James Corden Late Late Show – live: British host waves goodbye to America in star-studded finale

Corden is returning to the UK to spend more time with his wife and children

Harry Styles and Will Ferrell smash James Corden's Late Late Show desk with sledgehammers

James Corden’s tenure on The Late Late Show has come to an end.

The British presenter hosted his final episode in the early hours of Friday morning (28 April), following an eight-year run on the CBS talk show.

First, viewers were treated to a Carpool Karaoke special starring Adele, then Corden was joined by some of his favourite guests from over the years, including Harry Styles, Will Ferrell and Tom Cruise.

Ferrell took a sledgehammer to Corden’s now-defunct desk, and several of Corden’s rival late night hosts appeared on the show to spill their industry secrets.

Corden also made a farewell speech in which he referenced growing divisions in the US.

Scroll down to catch up on all the antics...

Key Points

• The Late Late Show: Everything to know about James Corden’s last episode
• Tom Cruise ‘adamant’ about performing stunt on James Corden’s final Late Late Show episode
• James Corden tells Adele how he feels about leaving The Late Late Show in last ever Carpool Karaoke

[28 April 2023 12:50 · Peony Hirwani]

James Corden on elaborate Adele prank that went horribly wrong

James Corden has recounted the time he tried to prank Adele on The Late Late Show, only for the trick to go terribly wrong.

Isobel Lewis reports.

[28 April 2023 12:20 · Peony Hirwani]

James Corden joined by five rival hosts who reveal talk show ‘secrets’ on final episode

James Corden was joined by a group of rival talk show hosts in a surprise segment on his last ever Late Late Show episode.

Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and David Letterman all appeared in the segment, in which they pressure Corden – who was in bed for the sketch – not to reveal the “secrets” of the talk show industry.

[28 April 2023 11:50 · Peony Hirwani]

James Corden ends final Late Late Show with warning for America

James Corden’s eight-year tenure on The Late Late Show has come to a close, with the host sharing an emotional goodbye to his American viewers.

[28 April 2023 11:20 · Peony Hirwani]

Watch: Tom Cruise and James Corden perform 'Hakuna Matata' in 'The Lion King' on Broadway

[28 April 2023 10:50 · Peony Hirwani]

James Corden reveals the one thing he ‘really, really’ won’t miss after The Late Late Show exit

James Corden has said that he felt “deeply unprepared” to talk about mass shootings and terrorist attacks on The Late Late Show.

Speaking ahead of the final show, the Gavin and Stacey creator admitted that having to speak on such heavy topics was one thing he struggled with throughout his eight years on the show.

“When talking about those moments when there’s a mass shooting or a national disaster or any of those things, what I’ve tried to do, is just be as honest as I can and in some way offer comfort and perspective,” the 44-year-old told People.

[28 April 2023 10:20 · Peony Hirwani]

Watch: Best moments from James Corden's final Late Late Show

[28 April 2023 09:50 · Peony Hirwani]

Why is Corden leaving America?

In case you were still wondering why Corden is leaving the show behind to move back to the UK, The Independent has put together this handy explainer based on the host’s past comments.

[28 April 2023 09:24 · Peony Hirwani]

Watch: James Corden shares advice to Americans as he says goodbye to Late Late Show

[28 April 2023 08:50 · Peony Hirwani]

James Corden’s stale, gimmicky Late Late Show finale was a fitting end for TV’s quintessential late-night host

It’s easy to judge ‘The Late Late Show’ for being frivolous TV fluff, writes Louis Chilton. But with the British star’s talk show having come to a close after eight years on air, its impact on pop culture is undeniable.

[28 April 2023 08:21 · Ellie Harrison]

Tom Cruise cameo left fans a bit confused...

In his segment on the show, Cruise gatecrashed a Broadway performance of the Lion King musical alongside Corden. Read more here...