Larry Lamb has defended his Gavin & Stacey co-star James Corden, who has been embroiled in a series of scandals involving his behaviour.
The 44-year-old History Boys star has been dubbed the’most demanding and arrogant presenter’. Craig Duncan, the director of A League of Their Own, has worked with, and a worker on The Late Late Show claimed he ‘really felt he was untouchable.’
Last year, Corden was compelled to deliver a public apology after being temporarily barred from the New York City restaurant Balthazar for allegedly being ‘very rude’ to waiting staff.
Larry, 75, who portrayed Mick Shipman in the BBC comedy series, had nothing but admiration for Corden when questioned about working with him on Times Radio on Monday by Jane Garvey and Fi Glover.
The EastEnders star characterised Corden as a “good lad,” “extremely bright and extremely talented,” and “extraordinary career,” causing Fi to inquire, “But is he nice Larry?” Is he friendly to everyone?’
Jane went on to clarify that they were asking the issue in light of Dominic Raab’s recent departure from the cabinet for abusing civil staff.
While Larry stated that Corden’may well’ behave like the former deputy prime minister in his current behaviour, this was not his experience working with him on Gavin & Stacey.
‘I’ll tell you the way that Gavin & Stacey evolved, it was very definitely a family thing. he continued.
‘Ruth [Jones] and James created it. But the dynamic is such that if somebody started throwing their weight about throughout the process, they would get extremely short shrift from everyone.’
‘It didn’t work like that,’ Larry added. ‘So whatever has been reported about James may be true based on my experiences working with him. I don’t know.’
Corden has not addressed the accusations about this behaviour on A League Of Their Own and The Late Late Show but did speak about the Balthazar incident on his talk show.
Explaining he had been ‘walking around thinking that I haven’t done anything wrong,’ Corden added: ‘But the truth is I have made a rude, rude comment.
‘And it was wrong. It was an unnecessary comment, it was ungracious to the server.’
In December, Spice Girls singer Mel B called Corden, among others, one of the ‘greatest d*ckheads’ in show business.
