>
James Corden has revealed that he’s not a “confident kid or sulk” who likes to go out and “drink lager” – but rather is an introverted character.
The TV host, 44, – who rose to fame as the likeable Smithy on Gavin and Stacey – says people have misconceptions about him after seeing his well-known character on the show.
He also shared in a new interview how he struggled with fame in the beginning, wondering if people liked him because of him or just his character of Smithy.
Personality: James Corden has revealed that he’s not a “confident kid or sulk” who likes to go out and “drink lager” — but instead is more of an introverted character
He said to The times: ‘I think I used to be quite shocked. I didn’t know how to deal with it, and there were also people like, ‘Ah, Smithy!’ and what are you doing?
“They’re expecting a really confident boy, or an idiot, drinking lager, and I’m really not a boy, you know?
‘I am a music theater artist. I don’t drink beer. I might like a sleek G&T. I didn’t know what people wanted from me.’
Comparisons: The TV host, 44, – who rose to fame as lovable Smithy on Gavin and Stacey – says people have misconceptions about him after seeing his well-known character on the show (pictured with Ruth Jones as Nessa)
He added that no one ever tells you that you’re dealing with fame and that you “have to figure it out along the way,” as he admitted he got “tangled up” in whether people liked him or his Smithy character.
It comes as he and his family prepare to leave Los Angeles to return to his native UK, with the move following a huge backlash after he was accused of abusing staff at a restaurant.
In the same interview with The Times, he claimed he was quitting The Late Late Show to spend more time with his children – Max, 11, as well as daughters Carey, eight, and Charlotte, four.
Tough: He also shared in a new interview how he struggled with fame in the beginning, wondering if people liked him because of him or just liked his character of Smithy
The star – who is married to TV producer Julia Carey, 46 – recalled having to cancel a family vacation, which was the final straw.
James said he fondly remembers his own childhood and didn’t want to miss those precious years with his own children, so he decided to quit The Late Late Show.
The interview came as the comedian’s reputation took a hit after he was called “a little cretin of a man” by Keith McNally, the British owner of the upscale New York restaurant Balthazar.
In a series of scathing social media posts, McNally claimed the comedian berated the servers on two separate occasions, saying he planned to ’86’ — banned — Corden from his restaurant.
Reflecting on the backlash, James described it as the “most surreal” moment and “so strange” for admitting he hadn’t read anything about himself online.
He also reiterated his denial of “yelling” or “cursing” at anyone, insisting he was not using derogatory language.
Of the many ‘bad stories’ that are circulating about him, he said: ‘I just stopped taking it. I just won’t. I don’t google myself, I don’t read anything about myself.’
According to McNally, one of James’ reported diatribes came after he found a hair in his meal, prompting him to demand free drinks and threatening to post nasty reviews on Yelp.
Change: It comes as he and his family prepare to leave Los Angeles to return to his native UK after he quit The Late Late Show
oh dear! The move follows a huge backlash after he was recently accused of abusing staff at a restaurant (Pictured with wife Julia, 46, in London in 2018)
On the second occasion, the actor reportedly blew up when his wife Julia was served an egg yolk omelet that also contained a trace of egg whites – which the comedian later claimed she was allergic to.
He called McNally to apologize for his behavior, but rekindled the argument in a New York Times interview, in which he said the drama was “below me” and denied doing anything wrong.
He also complained about the backlash, telling the newspaper: ‘I feel so zen about the whole thing. Because I think it’s so stupid. I just think it’s below all of us. It’s under you. It’s definitely under your publication.’
The interview then sparked a response from McNally demanding Corden apologize to the servers he allegedly abused.
Enough is enough: Keith McNally – the British owner of New York eatery Balthazar – described Corden’s alleged explosions, while also claiming he behaved the same way at his previous restaurant
Family: James shares son Max, 11, as well as daughters Carey, eight, and Charlotte, four, with his TV producer wife Julia (pictured together in September 2021)