James Corden shocks London pantomime-goers with surprise cameo just days after heart-wrenching Gavin and Stacey finale
James Corden shocked London pantomime-goers on Friday in a surprise cameo just two days after the gut-wrenching Gavin and Stacey Christmas finale.
Corden, 46, stepped out on stage at the West End’s Palladium theatre alongside Julian Clary and Nigel Havers in the venue’s star-studded Robin Hood pantomime – leaving audience members staggered.
The former Late Late Show host graced the stage as King Richard the Lionheart – and though he might have been wearing trainers, attendees were left in awe.
Jane Grogan, from Billericay in Essex – from where Gavin and Stacey’s Smithy, played by Corden, hails – told GB News: “The crowd were as shocked as they were elated.
“We felt a little sorry for the already superb cast that a 30-second Corden cameo got the biggest cheer ever… No one even cared he had trainers on!
“Given the exposure this week for James, we all felt a little honoured, I guess.”
Meanwhile, theatre producer David Pugh shared his experience on social media.
“James Corden just received the loudest cheers ever recorded in the history of the London Palladium as he made his pantomime debut as King Richard,” Pugh wrote.
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Palladium debutant Marisha Wallace, who declared Christmas Day’s Gavin and Stacey special a “national event”, also shared images of her run-in with the TV star after the matinee performance.
Referencing her prior “national event” post, Wallace wrote: “Well this tweet aged like a fine wine.
“We had James Corden in today as the King at the Palladium Panto.
“I got to tell him in person how much I loved the finale,” she said, sharing a photo of the pair beaming backstage.
Well this tweet aged like a fine wine 😂 we had James Corden in today as the King at the Palladium Panto. I got to tell him in person how much I loved the finale. #gavinandstaceythefinale https://t.co/gSoGpAdGsR pic.twitter.com/glOLpG20vr
— Marisha Wallace (@marishawallace) December 27, 2024
The Palladium’s Robin Hood performance runs until January 12, 2025.
And the venue tells prospective visitors to “expect a West End spectacle to remember, with stunning sets and costumes, rip-roaring comedy and incredible special effects”.
So far, the pantomime’s run has garnered rave reviews – entertainment paper The Stage has labelled it a “full-throttle extravaganza featuring star turns all the way” even before the surprise Corden cameo.
And his appearance will only bolster a barnstorming showbiz week after Wednesday’s “beautiful” send-off to the long-running hit series.