Why did James Corden pick Harry Styles for his last Late Late Show? A look at their friendship

After 1,200 shows, James Corden went out in ‘Style’ with his last Late Late Show in eight and a half years as he was joined by Tom Cruise, Will Ferrell and ‘special’ friend Harry Styles.

In addition to a satirical piano medley, Will smashing James’ iconic desk and Tom Cruise dressing up as Timon in Broadway’s Lion King, Harry Styles returned to the CBS show one last time, marking a full-circle moment for the star and TV host duo.

Harry first appeared on the Late Late Show in 2015 as part of One Direction and has since been a regular guest taking part in Carpool Karaokes, dodgeball matches, crosswalk musicals and even acting as host when James’ wife Julia went into labour in December 2019.

Some may suggest that James chose Harry to appear on his last-ever episode as a result of these aforementioned memories and their close friendship, so James would be surrounded by his nearest and dearest. 

Earlier in the week, James offered a glimpse into his friendship with best pal Adele as the pair were seen crying in the last ever Carpool Karaoke with the YouTube segment now reaching 13 million views.

While James spoke about his love for Adele ‘on his way to work’, he has also recently lifted the lid on his ‘special’ friendship with Harry Styles ahead of their final appearance on CBS on 27 April. PeopleWorld takes a look:

James Corden first met Harry Styles and the One Direction boys when they first formed on X Factor back in 2010.

James and Harry’s friendship has developed considerably over the past decade, with the pair even recently going on holiday together, however they actually have former bandmate Louis Tomlinson’s late mother Johannah Deakin for their initial introduction.

Before Johannah passed away in 2016, she had worked as a chaperone on one of Corden’s TV shows in the UK and reached out in 2010 when Louis was filming X Factor in London.

James spoke at the 2022 New York Festival stating: “[She] wrote me an email one night saying, my son’s down in London…we’re slightly worried that he’s in London on his own. Would you reach out to him?”

Following their exchange, James recalled the One Direction boys would often go over to his London home and play PlayStation and eat pizza, adding that it made Julia feel like she was babysitting.

As a result, through their stint on X Factor, Harry and the boys formed a close bond with James with Harry’s especially developing over the coming years.

Flash forward 13 years, James spoke candidly about his friendship with Harry as part of his promotional work for his last ever Late Late Show, even quipping that he tried to take on Harry’s healthy way of life.

He told Howard Stern: “I made this pact where I said, 'I am only going to eat when you eat. I’m going to work out when you work out and I’m going to eat what you eat and I think it’s going to have a really positive impact on me…I lasted 36 hours.”

It may all seem fun and games with the duo, but James also highlighted how Harry is ‘so special as a human’ and his friendship is such a ‘positive thing in [his] life.’

Maybe having Harry by his side, made James’ goodbye to his Late Late Show somewhat easier.