James Corden reveals emotional reason why he’s leaving the Late Late Show after eight seasons

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James Corden attends the world premiere of "Cats" at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on December 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)James Corden attends the world premiere of "Cats" at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on December 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
James Corden attends the world premiere of "Cats" at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on December 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) | Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
The Late Late Show with James Corden has been airing since its first episode in 2015

James Corden is set to step down from his hosting duties in the US, and the star has finally shed some light on the decision.

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Corden, 44, revealed earlier this year that he would be leaving the Late Late Show although any reasons for the decision have been kept under wraps.

While 2023 will be the last year he hosts the show, a date for a last episode has not yet been announced.

This week, Corden appeared on the Drew Barrymore Show, where he opened up on the tearful reasons for his decision to leave late night TV in the US.

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On the show, Corden said: "'I was filming on a Sunday and I came downstairs, it was about six a.m. and my son, who was ten at the time, was sat on the stairs and he said, 'Are you working today?'

Host James Corden speaks onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)Host James Corden speaks onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Host James Corden speaks onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions) | Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

"And I said, 'I am,' and he said, 'I thought, well it’s Sunday,' and I said, 'I know buddy but this schedule’s just all over the place. We just got to get it done because we only have a tiny amount of time before we have to go back and do the show,' and his face just kind of dropped."

It appears the disappointment on his son’s face given the show’s hectic schedule was too much for Corden to bear.

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While also agreeing that he will be a ‘crying mess’ for his last Late Late Show, Corden added: "So, really the choice was to go, 'Well if I really want to do this other work, that cannot be at the expense of our children, our family,' and that is really all it comes down to."

Corden’s decision to step down from the show and his appearance on the Drew Barrymore Show came either side of a controversial period for the star.

The host was last year accused of being rude to a member of staff at a New York restaurant where he was then banned from. He later admitted to being ungracious during the incident.

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He has revealed plans to return to the UK once his hosting duties cease.

Speaking earlier this year about leaving the show, Corden said: “When I started this journey, it was always going to be just that. It was going to be a journey, an adventure. I never saw it as my final destination.

“I never want this show to overstay its welcome in any way. I always want to love making it. And I really think in a year from now, that will be a good time to move on and see what else might be out there.”

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