James Corden says ‘intoxicating’ fame made him ‘behave like a brat’

Actor also explained why he called out fat shaming on his US TV show

James Corden has admitted to behaving “like a brat” when he first became famous.

Speaking to the New Yorker, the actor and US chat show host said that his family prayed for him as his attitude became more unpleasant.

“I started to behave like a brat that I just don’t think I am,” Corden said. “It’s so intoxicating, that first flush of fame. And I think it’s even more intoxicating if you’re not bred for it.”

His mother Margaret added: “You can try and say, ‘Look, James, you’re making a prat of yourself,’ but you can only do so much.”

In 2012, Corden called his past behaviour “spoilt and brattish”, and he expressed regrets in his 2011 autobiography over an “ungracious” and “ungrateful” acceptance speech at the 2008 Baftas.

After collecting an award voted for by audiences at home for Gavin & Stacey, Corden used the speech to admonish the ceremony for not nominating the sitcom in the official Best Comedy category. “How can what is apparently the best comedy performance and the television programme of the year not even be nominated as a comedy?” he asked. He later wrote that he had “belittled himself in the process”.

Last year, Corden’s Gavin & Stacey costar Rob Brydon recalled to The Independent how Corden had become “bratty and irritable” at the show’s peak. “He’s suddenly enjoying the fruits of his success, and he just lost his way for a bit,” Brydon added.

Corden also used his New Yorker profile to deflect criticism that his gluttonous character in Cats was an example of fat-shaming.

“Oh, but he’s revelling in it,” Corden insisted. “He’s going, ‘I’m the greatest! I’m big and I’m fat and I live the best life! I eat everything! It’s incredible.’”

Corden this week laughed off outrage over his viral video series Carpool Karaoke, after fans discovered Corden did not actually drive his own vehicle in the recurring singalong sketch.