James Corden urged his audience to ‘find joy’ in his final monologue (Picture: CBS/Getty)
James Corden struggled to fight back the tears as he signed off The Late Late Show for the final time – but not before delivering a warning to America.
The Gavin and Stacey actor, 44, was at the helm of the CBS show for eight years and made sure his last outing went out with a bang, with appearances from the likes of Joe Biden and Harry Styles.
But after an emotional Carpool Karaoke with Adele and a final final game of Spill Your Guts Or Fill Your Guts with Will Ferrell and the As It Was singer, it was time for The History Boys star to wrap.
In an emotional final monologue, James urged his audience to ‘find joy’ among the ‘divisions’ and ‘negativity’ currently pervading American society.
He said: ‘We started with Obama then Trump then a global pandemic. I’ve watched America change a lot over these past few years, I’ve watched divisions grow, I felt a sense of negativity.
‘I guess all I really want to stay, I implore you to remember what America signifies to the rest of the world. My entire life, it’s always been a place of optimism and joy.
Tom joined James for a special performance of The Lion King (Picture: CBS)
‘Sure, it has flaws. Show me a country that doesn’t … every single one of us is a work of progress. Just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn’t make them bad or evil. There are so many people who are trying to stoke those differences.
James continued: ‘We have to try to the best we can to look for the light, look for the joy. It’s out there. That’s all this show has ever been about. Thank you for letting me do this. Thank you for letting me into your home every night.’
Concluding the show, he took to the piano to deliver a song, summing up his time as host, at the end of which he became audibly emotional and burst into tears, and left the studio to a standing ovation.
Adele performed a final Carpool Karaoke with James Corden (Picture: CBS)
James was also bid farewell by Harry, who said he was ‘very proud of everything you’ve done’ on The Late Late Show, and that the comedian had been an ‘inspiration.’
‘Selfishly, I’m very happy that you’re coming home, I love you so much,’ he said.
Anchorman actor Will, meanwhile, remarked: ‘James … I mean you’ve done such an amazing job coming into the late night space which is incredibly crowded, incredibly competitive, coming to America from – let’s face it a s***hole country.’
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He added: ‘But seriously bravo.’
The Late Late Show with James Corden aired on CBS in the US.
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It was emotional