Just what has been occurrin’ for James?
which he plays Bustopher Jones alongside a very starry cast.
He says: “When I look at the names I think, ‘This is ridiculous!’
“We had one day, which was me, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson, Idris Elba, Sir Ian McKellen and Judi Dench, all shooting a scene together.
“Now, that in itself is quite extraordinary. Then when you add the layer of everybody pretending to be a cat, you really can’t help but feel you’re on some kind of hallucinogenic.”
Despite his success James – raised in Buckinghamshire by social worker mum Margaret and musician dad Malcolm – has kept his feet firmly on the ground. His parents have helped – as has his love of West Ham.
Because of the time difference he gets up at 4am on Saturdays to watch games on television. He says: “We usually get beaten but I’m used to it.
“I’m a big sports fan and will watch anything; I’ll even watch curling for a day. Baseball is the only one I can’t get into because I feel like I’m watching a group of people I don’t know having a picnic. But everything else, I’m all into.”
James lives in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles with wife Julia and their three children. It has been his home for five years – but he knows he may not stay there forever.
“I’ve got two and a bit years left on my contract, and I don’t know how long we will stay,” he says.
“We’re a long way from home and we are a long way from people that are getting older and who I miss greatly, so we will see what happens.
“But it’s been the most joyous and unexpected ride, and I’m excited to see what will come after this.”
■ The Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special, BBC1, Christmas Day, 8.30pm.
I think people will like the surprises in there
JAMES CORDEN ON GAVIN & STACEY SPECIAL