James Corden hints at bid for London Mayor as Labour searches for Sadiq Khan’s successor
James Corden has opened the door to running for London Mayor as Labour searches for a successor to Sir Sadiq Khan.
The 46-year-old actor and presenter, who returned to the UK last year after spending eight years hosting The Late Late Show in Los Angeles, reportedly shared his political aspirations at the Bafta television awards last Sunday.
Corden, who became a household name playing Smithy in Gavin and Stacey, has previously been vocal about his political views but had never before indicated interest in running for office himself.
The revelation came during a conversation with prominent political figures at the awards ceremony.
At the awards ceremony, Corden was introduced to the hosts of the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, including Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby, former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and former Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson.
An onlooker at the event told The Mail on Sunday: “James told them he was a regular listener to their podcast and how much he enjoys the cut and thrust of politics. He clearly has a lot of respect for those who put themselves out there and run for office.
“And it was suggested that he should step into the political arena and stand in the future. There was talk that he should run for Mayor of London.”
The current London Mayor has held the position since first being elected in 2016 and secured a third term last year. According to reports, he is widely expected to stand down in 2028.
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This timeline could create an opportunity for Corden, as Labour will need to find a new candidate for the mayoral position when Khan departs.
The entertainer’s interest in the role comes at a time when he has firmly re-established himself in the UK, having returned from his successful stint in American television.
Corden, who is thought to be a Labour supporter, has not shied away from political commentary in the past.
Following the Conservative Party’s landslide victory in 2019, he publicly criticised Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party.
He tweeted at the time: “I can’t shake the feeling that if Tom Watson had been leader of the Labour Party the outcome of this could’ve all been so different. Jeremy Corbyn has now lost two elections to opposition candidates who could’ve and should’ve been beaten.”
Since returning to the UK, Corden and his wife Julia Carey have put down roots, purchasing an £11.5million mansion in north west London last year.
Recently, the pair have seen themselves embroiled in in a battle with their neighbours as the 46-year-old actor is seeking permission to build an outhouse at the bottom of his garden, sparking concerns from local residents.
Corden and Carey were granted permission in April 2023 to demolish the 1960s house they had purchased in Oxfordshire.
The approval came after a year-long wait, during which objections were raised by both the local council and English Heritage.
Despite these challenges, the project was eventually given the green light.
Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the demolition plans last January.
The scale of the operation at Corden’s Oxfordshire property is monumental, requiring the excavation of 4,977 cubic metres of soil – equivalent to two Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Adding to the complexity, archaeological work must now be conducted at the site after experts reported the area is littered with Roman and prehistoric finds.
The dispute at Corden’s London home has intensified with more than 18 complaints lodged against his proposed garden outhouse.