James Corden: why is Late Late Show host leaving, when is his last show and what will he do next?

Earlier this year, James Corden promised to “go out with a bang” after he announced that he will be departing from The Late Late Show next year after taking over the reins from Craig Ferguson in 2015.

He revealed the news an latest episode of the US talk-show, saying that the programme had “changed my life” and promised there would be “lots of tears” when his tenure officially came to an end.

The Late Late Show with Corden will return to TV screens in the UK for four special episodes, airing on Sky Comedy at 10pm nightly from Tuesday 28 June to Friday 1 July.

This is what you need to know.

Why is he leaving?

Making the announcement on the an episode of The Late Late Show, Corden said that he had signed a new contract with the show for one more year, but that this would be his last year as host.

Corder said: “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 really think in a year from now, that will be a good time to move on and see what else might be out there.”

Speaking to Deadline, Corden said that the decision to leave was “really hard” because he is “so immensely proud of the show”.

He said: “I’m thrilled to be extending [for a year]. I always thought I’d do it for five years and then leave, and then I stayed on.

“I’ve really been thinking about it for a long time, thinking whether there might be one more adventure.”

When is he leaving?

Corden is set to leave the show in the summer of 2023, having extended his contract with CBS for another year.

Corden has already informed his staff of his impending departure as he didn’t want the move to come as a surprise to anyone.

He said: “Out of respect for all of the [staff], I want to tell them now and say that we can really go into this last year with absolute enthusiasm and passion and love.

“These shows are not built by just one person. I’m very fortunate I get to work with some people whose talents and gifts just blow my mind.”

What is he doing next?

Regarding his potential next steps after leaving the show, Corden said that “there’s still some other thing that I feel I want to do”.

“I’d like to try and write,” He said. “There’s some [stories] I’d like to tell.

“I’d like to see if I’m capable o fit. The fact that it’s terrifying is the reason to do it.”

Whether he and his family might make a return to the UK, Corden said that it’s something that they “genuinely don’t know the answer to”.

He added: “It’s something we think about and we talk about a lot, but we haven’t really made a decision on that yet.

“That’s the life side of things which well figure out. I love living here. I love everything it’s given.

“My family and I have never taken this incredible adventure for granted. Every day I drive down Sunset to work and I just think I’m from High Wycombe.”