James Corden

It's only fair to admit that I was quite biased against The Wrong Mans when it began last year. Not only did it have a stupid title (still not explained) but it starred and was co-written by James Corden. Once the well-liked breakout star/co-creator of Gavin and Stacey, his ego and ubiquity led to a backlash that saw him branded one of the most annoying men in Britain. But, much like this series' heroes, he made a miraculous escape, bouncing back with a highly entertaining, carefully thought-out comedy thriller.

As he's about to become the new host of a late-night American chat show, this two-part return of The Wrong Mans may be its last hurrah. It sees Corden's Phil living it up in the US, while pal Sam (co-writer Mathew Baynton) is less happy about what has followed their last accidental escapades with gangsters and spies.

The plot moves speedily, with the hapless pair quickly in yet more dangerous situations which they're completely unable to cope with. Realism goes out the window, but there's charming banter between the duo, who are given to reminiscing about their town's Christmas lights even when banged up in a high-security Texan jail.

James Corden discusses move to America

James Corden says replacing Craig Ferguson on The Late Late Show will help him be a better dad.

Without spoiling the opening to this new two-parter, our antiheroes Sam (Mathew Baynton) and Phil (James Corden) have relocated to warmer climes, and one of them is settling in better than the other. Whoever tried to kill them at the end of the last series is yet to be found but they need to get back to the UK. This is their thrilling, gorgeously shot, exceptionally funny journey home. A great Top Gear gag, Bertie Carvel's chameleon act ... there's so much to recommend it. Concludes tomorrow.

Not going out and reluctant to have a hootenanny chez Jools Holland? Never fear: Alan Carr is here to usher in the new year with you! They're at Channel 4 headquarters, so expect a good number of stars from the channel's stable as well as others (Jonathan Ross, Alesha Dixon and James Corden among them) to pop by for a series of party games and sketches. Live music comes from Tulisa and Professor Green, and the studio audience will be doing their best to provide a party atmosphere.

James Corden makes The Late Late Show debut

Craig Ferguson gave James Corden the Late Late Show seal of approval and it only has a little to do with James being made of biscuits and cake.

James Corden prepares to move to America

'It's a great adventure': James Corden looks ahead as prepares to move his family to America for new role as talk show host.

Radio Times review

Readers of a certain age will remember the Bob Monkhouse version of this genial noughts-and-crosses quiz game from the 1970s. Revived now with host Warwick Davis - who is just the right combination of cheeky yet charming - the format is pretty well the same as the original. General knowledge questions are put to the celebrities and the contestants decide whether or not they've answered correctly. If they're right, they win that square. The object then is to try to get three in a line.

As in the show's previous incarnation, the comedians (James Corden in Willie Rushton's central square position, Tim Vine, Joe Wilkinson etc) try to be funny. And sometimes they succeed.

James Corden confirmed as US chat show host

James Corden has been confirmed as Craig Ferguson's successor as host of The Late Late Show on American TV.

It's the eighth series of this bantzier, nearer-the-knuckle alternative to A Question Of Sport, hosted by James Corden. For this opener, he's joined by Kevin Bridges, Jack Whitehall, Jamie Redknapp, Freddie Flintoff, Frank Lampard and Judy Murray ("Who's your favourite son?"). Among the items is a ribald take on footballers-turned-authors, while the chaps are put through their paces at a tennis training court to play John McEnroe, conducted in a suitable atmosphere of mutual mockery. Tim Henman and Nigel Havers also appear.

Burning questions for the stars

To celebrate the return of the show, we headed out to Elstree to hang out backstage with the boys - James Corden, Jack Whitehall, Jamie Redknapp and Freddie Flintoff - while they prepared for another show.