James Corden says opportunities for working class people are ‘capped’ in the entertainment industry

James Corden has said that working-class people are “not bred for success” and face “uncapped opportunities” in the entertainment industry.

The 44-year-old comedian, who recently retired as host of CBS’s The Late Late Show, landed his first role in Martin Guerre in 1996 when he was 17, before starring in the 1997 film Twenty Four Seven. .

The son of Royal Air Force musician Malcom and social worker Margaret, James grew up in Buckinghamshire, where he attended Holmer Green Senior School.

James starred in This Cultural Life on Radio 4 and reflected on his own successes after being told such things were ‘not possible’.

Speaking to host John Wilson, he said, “When I think back to the time of making that film (Twenty Four Seven), I think it was a life-changing experience for me.”

James then added that director Shane Meadows had taught him that “no one will invite you to the table.”

‘I think especially if you come from a working class background. You were not bred for success. The talent is everywhere, and opportunities are not. It just isn’t,” he admitted.

TV host: The comedian, who recently retired as host of CBS’s The Late Late Show, got his first role in Martin Guerre in 1996 when he was 17

On screen: James starred in the 1997 film Twenty Four Seven, which he said was “life-changing” (pictured far left)

James continued, “You’re capped in a way. I didn’t realize until I met my wife that she was doing thirteen GCSEs and I was doing six. And the most you could do at my school was seven. You’re kind of limited. You are not really told that these things are possible.

‘I think what I learned from him’ [Shane] is that you will have to bully your way through this. You will have to persuade people to sit down at the table if you want to. It’s not just presented to you.’

At the age of four, James was given the beetle for entertainment after standing on a chair at his younger sister’s christening, making faces as people laughed.

Family: Son of Royal Air Force musician Malcom and social worker Margaret, James grew up in Buckinghamshire where he attended Holmer Green Senior School (pictured in 2018)

He wrote in his autobiography – May I have your attention, please? – that it felt ‘great’ to have people watch him, and from that day on, every day became a quest to get noticed.

James took part in after-school drama classes and attended many auditions without much luck until he was 17.

He started a B-Tech in the performing arts, but dropped out and landed a one-line role in the 1996 musical Martin Guerre at age 18.

He turned down another small role in Les Miserables to focus on building his film career and landed roles in Shane Meadows’s Twenty Four Seven, Hollyoaks, Mike Leigh’s All or Nothing and ITV’s Fat Friends – where he met Ruth James, his Gavin and Stacey co-writer and star.

His big break came when he won the role of Timms in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, which proved a huge hit at the National Theatre, then went on to Broadway before being made into a movie.

Last year, James turned down a multi-year ‘name your price’ deal from television bosses to stay in the US, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The surprise announcement that he will be leaving America next year – despite an estimated £40 million offer to stay – shocked Hollywood.

Speaking about his decision to leave The Late Late Show, he added: “I think it’s a greater risk to stay. There’s a great clip where David Bowie talks about never playing to the gallery.

Stoer: ‘I think especially if you come from a working class background. You were not bred for success. The talent is everywhere, and opportunities are not. It just isn’t,’ he admitted

“On the day of the announcement that I was going to run away, it was still made very clear to me that there was a job here for the next five years and I’m not going to lie, financially I’m fine.

“I would watch that clip. I must have watched it fifty times that week where he just says, “If you feel safe in the area you work, you’re not working in the right area.

“Always go a little further into the water than you feel you can get in. Get out of your depth a bit and if you don’t feel like your feet are touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.”

Realization: James continued, “You’re capped in a way. I didn’t realize until I met my wife that she did I think thirteen GCSEs and I did six’ (Pictured with his wife Jules in 2022)

James will step down as host of The Late Late Show at the end of next season amid plans to spend more time at home in the UK, DailyMail.com confirms.

The host decided to retire at the end of season eight, despite the efforts of CBS executives who exclusively told DailyMail.com that they were “desperately trying to keep him longer.”

The star and his wife Jules, already ten years old, are mulling over returning to the UK with their three children Max, 11, Carey, seven, and Charlotte, four, but they are still trying to figure out what’s next for it. family.

An insider told DailyMail.com that spending more time in the UK when the show ends is “definitely on the horizon.”

This Cultural Life, 19:15 Saturday 24 September on Radio 4 and on BBC Sounds.

New Opportunities: Speaking about his decision to step down from The Late Late Show, he added: ‘I think it’s a greater risk to stay’