As James Corden is reportedly set to return to the UK next year, we take a look back at his love life which includes a short-lived romance with Sheridan Smith and Lily Allen love triangle
11:36, 24 Dec 2024Updated 11:36, 24 Dec 2024
As the new Gavin and Stacey Christmas special draws close, we take a look at Smithy star James Corden's love life.
Ex The Late Late Show host first met Sheridan Smith in 2007 when she took on the role of Smithy's irritating sister in Gavin and Stacey. However, by 2008, the pair had confirmed their split, leaving them both available for other romantic pursuits.
Amidst rumours that James had struck up a romance with singer Lily Allen after some on-air flirting during her BBC chat show, he gave a cryptic response about his relationship status, telling Lily: "It's complicated." Reports from the time suggest that James and Lily did go on several dates, but James was left disappointed when he was ultimately relegated to the friend zone.
Reflecting on his brief fling with Lily in 2011, James admitted: "I made it my aim to make Lily mine. I guess we were friends but, for my part, I definitely wanted more than that."
Despite going on a handful of dates, nothing romantic ever developed between the two. The following year, James revealed that he and Sheridan had rekindled their old flame. He even told The Mirror that Sheridan had been the "love of his life" and hinted at the possibility of wedding bells in the future.
In a 2008 exclusive, he gushed to the mag: "Yes, Sheridan and I are back together and it's going brilliantly, I couldn't be happier. I want to marry my girl."
However, it looked like the 'Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps' actress wasn't on the same page about their love affair - marriage didn’t seem to be in the cards for her. Fast forward to 2009, and their fling fizzled out leaving James "heartbroken" and admitting he felt his world was unravelling at the seams.
Spilling his heart out to The Times, he confessed: "I was heartbroken and lost. I'd had a relationship with Sheridan which was heartbreaking, when you think something might work and it doesn't. And I felt a bit lost.
"And feeling lost, and feeling heartbroken, and feeling single for the first time in your adult life, at the very moment when you become a little bit famous, is quite a potent mix."
Bouncing back, James shacked up with former 'The History Boys' cast mate Dominic Cooper, who turned Cupid by introducing him to his now-wife and charity ace Julia Carey. Sparks flew and they marched down the aisle in 2012, now parents to Max, Carey, and Charlotte.
Even though James and Sheridan seemed to have moved on, whispers of their past union re-emerged in 2019 when it appeared that the 'Gavin and Stacey' mastermind snubbed the musical theatre starlet from the much-anticipated Christmas comeback special.
Sheridan finally addressed the whispers about her absence from the Christmas special during a chat with Radio 2's Zoe Ball. When pressed by Zoe on why she missed the festive episode, Sheridan responded: "I wish. No, I'm not going to be in it. I don't think, anyway."
She added: "I was only ever in 4 episodes. Why would they need to bring me back? There is no drama between me and James. And no story. Chill out! In other news... happy Wednesday."
But in a later natter with The Sun in 2020, Sheridan hinted she'd be keen to return to the beloved show if asked, saying: "I'd definitely come back for a series," and then touched upon her relationship with co-star James Corden.
The star of the telly clarified: "I'm not in touch with James - he lives in America. If I saw him here, we'd hug." She continued: "I've got a lot of love for him but we don't see each other."
Gavin & Stacey airs on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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