The World Cup pool match between England and the USA on Friday evening (early Saturday, Australia time) should carry some extra spice with rival fans declaring whichever team loses has to keep controversial British TV host and comic, James Corden.
The 44-year-old has had his own late night talkback show in the US, The Late Late Show with James Corden, since 2015; however in October he announced he’d be finishing up in the US and wanted to return to the UK with his young family.
Corden also made world headlines last month when New York restaurant Balthazar owner Keith McNally took to Instagram to speak on Corden, calling him “abusive” before delving into two separate occasions when the host behaved poorly while dining. Corden later forced to make an on-air apology to McNally and his staff.
Again in early November, Corden was accused of stealing a Ricky Gervais joke from 2018 and a Noel Fielding joke from 2017.
In light of this, overnight one rogue England World Cup fan tweeted: “USA vs England this Friday whoever wins gets custody of James Corden.”
The fan added: “That should be written into the contract.”
And, yep, as these things do, fans from both sides were soon in on the joke.
“This has become the biggest game in the history of football,” suggested one ribald fan.
Another person tweeted: “Certainly would give England something to play for!” Another added: “Good god, the stakes have been upped.”
While another person wanted Piers Morgan added to the deal: “The loser of England/USA gets to keep James Corden and Piers Morgan,” before another replied: “Now that’s a far bigger prize than lifting any World Cup.”
Another England fan said: “It’s coming home, but James Corden can’t. England v USA just got a bizarre incentive.”
“I’ve seen loads of tweets saying the loser of England v USA keeps James Corden. As an American and a fan of England, I’ve never wanted a game to end in a draw as much as that one,” one divided fellow said.
For his part, Corden has not yet publicly commented on the stunt.
