James Corden has spoken of his joy at returning to the UK after receiving the Silver Heart Award for Worldwide Achievement in Broadcasting, Acting and Comedy at the Variety Club Showbiz Awards.
His good friend Ruth Jones, father of three and co-creator of Gavin and Stacey, described him as “the most generous, kind-hearted and supportive person I have ever met.” I introduced him by calling him “one of the people.'' He added: “It is my honor to call him my dear friend.”
She also joked about her introduction to James, which included a highlight of his career: I'm not kidding, I made him the man he is! ”
James took to the stage to talk about moving back to the UK and leaving the LA lifestyle. He said: “I go back to the idea that I'll never fully understand how lucky I am, and I think about that a lot. I think about it every day since I moved home.
“I went and lived in America for eight years, and for the past six or seven months people have said to me at various school gates and on the main street, [expletive] It rained. And almost every day someone would say to me, “You know what? “Oh, I'm sure it's good to be back here, isn't it?”
“I was able to say, 'I'm very happy to be here,' without any sense of irony or intent. I hope you can see it from afar. I wish you could see it from 13,000 miles away.” I want you to see that the place you're in, the city you're in, the country you're in is deeply flawed but amazingly glorious. This week, and in the lead up to the election, take a look around you, and look up from time to time to see this extraordinary architecture and this extraordinary place.”
The 45-year-old continued: “One year ago yesterday, after my show ended, I thought every day how lucky I am to have a friend like Ruth Jones, who supported me, supported me, and nurtured me through countless moments in my life. ”. How lucky am I to have a wife and children at home who have come with me on this adventure? To have started in a country with the BBC, a national theater and government-funded arts. How lucky am I? How lucky am I to be standing in this room with you all and this incredibly talented group… Thank you so much. I appreciate it ”
Back in December 2022, James opened up about leaving the show on The Morning Show, saying:and there [are] There are old people at home. We want our children to know them and be close to them. ”
Additional reporting by Francesca Shillcock