James Corden to become talk show host on US television
James Corden is reportedly set to become a talk show host on American television.
The website The Wrap has revealed that the Gavin & Stacey star is set to replace Craig Ferguson as the host of The Late Late Show on the CBS network.
The website attributes the news to "an individual with knowledge of the situation", but adds: "A representative for Corden did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while CBS couldn't confirm at this time."
Ferguson, a Scottish-born comedian, has been the star of CBS's late night comic programming since 2005. However, he announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down in December, prompting CBS to look for a replacement for 2015.
If confirmed, the news would see Corden's profile raise dramatically in the US, where nightly comedy talk shows are a key part of television schedules. He is currently a relative unknown in the States, although did pick up some notice when he won a Tony award for playing Francis Henshall in One Man, Two Guvnors on Broadway, and has received acclaim for The Wrong Mans, co-produced by the BBC and an American on-demand television service.
The Wrap comments: "While Corden might not be a household name in the U.S., he boasts a sizable social media presence with more than 4 million Twitter followers, which could bring a modern edge to the show, which airs at 12:35 a.m."
Corden's next major project is taking on the role of The Baker in the forthcoming Disney musical film Into The Woods, based on Grimm fairy tales. He is also committed to star in a second series of comedy thriller The Wrong Mans.
The next series of A League Of Their Own, the sports-based panel show hosted by Corden, has already been filmed and will begin broadcasting shortly.
A UK-based spokesperson for Corden declined to comment on The Wrap's report, but did not deny the story.