James Corden

Dizzee Rascal and James Corden score World Cup hit

Rapper Dizzee Rascal and comedian James Corden have gone to the top of the UK singles chart with their unofficial World Cup anthem, Shout.

This is billed as an "alternative reaction" to the World Cup, though some might feel that there has been precious little alternative to James Corden recently (he's even in tonight's Doctor Who!), and that he's perhaps delighted us long enough for the time being. For those who can't get enough of the big man, however, he will be straight on after every ITV big match, joined by family, friends, celebrities and a human world cup wall chart. Those whose tastes for this sort of thing run no further than Baddiel and Skinner can nowadays find them on podcast.

James Corden & Patrick Stewart: A very unedifying spat

Several hours after his very public spat with Star Trek legend Sir Patrick Stewart on the podium of the Glamour awards, James Corden was still brooding. Corden admitted to one friend that he was 'worried' about how the whole thing would be perceived.

James Corden's World Cup Live: The Aftermath

These half hour 'celebrations of football' will not be presented by Charlie Brooker and David Mitchell but the distinctively less amusing James Corden and Abbey Clancy.

Steady On James

Had enough of James Corden? Then you are probably not alone and you won't be tuning in to ITV's post-match coverage during the World Cup.

James Corden's World Cup Live. I haven't even seen it yet. To be honest, I'm not sure I need to. James Corden's World Cup song. I haven't heard it yet. To be honest, I'm not sure I want to. James Corden's World Cup Diary, in The Times. I haven't even read it yet. To be honest, I look forward to it like a family funeral.

Why is it that World Cup 2010, regardless of what happens on the field of play, will now always be irrevocably-tainted by Corden's omnipresence? Was his Sport Relief skit at Sports Personality of the Year that good? (No. No it wasn't). Was Gavin and Stacey that good? (No. It was a c-list British Friends. And not even the good series. The ones where it was just a soap opera.) Was Horne and Corden that good? (Ha.)

So why the World Cup ubiquity? No one really knows. The Times column, at least, can be explained. The Thunderer gives out football-writing jobs to comedy dead zones (Giles Smith, Alan Davies, etc.) like Corden increases the profit margins of his local bakeries. (Ha! Have that, Corden, I'm stealing your best material, too). But the rest? "Entertainment" executives are forever trying to re-plough once successful furrows. In their tiny, bean-counting minds, major international football tournament = Euro '96 = Baddiel & Skinner = Fantasy Football = 3 Lions = enough money to buy every Ukrainian woman in Dubai.

Baddiel and Skinner are out of commission, so Corden's their go-to guy. He's funny (to them), he likes football (he's been on Sport Relief and he supports West Ham - which is also like football) and he's available.

So, there it is. Suck it up and deal with it. In 2034 when we're watching repeats of Rooney being sent off in the second round, Lampard missing the crucial penalty against France in the quarter final, and Terry crying so much that he single-handedly irrigates the entire Sahara, it will be Corden's gurning face bookending the clips. There, forever more, like the dog weeing on Jimmy Greaves in Chile, like the stink being wiped off Bobby Moore's hands before meeting the Queen, or Frank Rijkaard's saliva dripping from Rudi Voller's face. Only with less charm.

So enjoy it. Enjoy it all. James Corden's World Cup Come Dine With Me. James Corden's World Cup Big Brother's Little Brother. James Corden's World Cup Derek Acorah's Ghostbusters.

James Corden's World Cup Live: will you be watching?

Fresh from his onstage spat with Sir Patrick Stewart at the Glamour Awards, will James Corden's ITV show be a success - or overkill?

Ten Things About... James Corden

James Corden has got a busy summer ahead. Here are ten fast facts about JC!

James Corden and Sir Patrick Stewart clash on stage

Comedian James Corden and Sir Patrick Stewart became involved in a bizarre on-stage spat at the Glamour Awards on Tuesday.

Dizzee Rascal and James Corden record World Cup song

Dizzee Rascal and actor James Corden have joined forces to record a song to mark the World Cup.