James Corden has signed off from his US late-night talk show after eight years, with the help of Harry Styles, Will Ferrell and President Joe Biden.
Ferrell and Styles smashed up the Late Late Show host’s desk, while Biden sent a video joking he was “surprised you lasted eight years in any job”.
The British host’s farewell mixed laughter and a heartfelt message.
Signing off, he urged US viewers not to give in to people who are “trying to stoke differences” in the country.
“Moving here to America eight years ago, it was a huge leap for me and my family,” he said. “My son was three, our daughter was 12 weeks old and we now have another small person, and she’s American.
In the game, which sees the participants eat disgusting food if they refuse to answer a question, Styles was asked whether there would be a One Direction reunion. “I would never say never to that,” the singer replied. “If there was a time when we all felt like that was what we wanted to do, then I don’t see why we wouldn’t.”
“I’m taking that as a yes!” Corden responded.
The British pop star told Corden he was “very proud of everything you’ve done” and that the presenter had been an “inspiration”.
“Selfishly, I’m very happy that you’re coming home, I love you so much,” he said, before the pair embraced.
Elsewhere in the show, fellow late-night hosts Seth Myers, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman took part in a sketch in which they discussed Corden’s retirement plans and argued over who would take over Carpool Karaoke.
There was also a segment in which Corden and Tom Cruise performed as Timon and Pumbaa in a production of The Lion King in Los Angeles.
Before his final episode aired, Corden told BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show: “It is a strange one, I haven’t really ever felt like this before.
“I just know in my core that it’s the right thing to do for so many personal and professional reasons.”
Corden took over the late-night talk show from comedian and actor Craig Ferguson in 2015.
He told the BBC he had never expected it to become a success, describing the experience as a “glorious ride”.
Previous guests on the show have included Sir Paul McCartney, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey.
There have also been return visits from the likes of Josh Gad, Gal Gadot, Mila Kunis, the Jonas Brothers and Billie Eilish.
While Corden became known for his cheerful hosting on screen, he has been a divisive personality and was temporarily banned from a New York restaurant late last year for being what the owner described as “extremely nasty” to staff. The actor later apologised.
