James Corden is marking his 48th birthday today (August 22), and despite a career spanning multiple decades, numerous fans are only just learning that he featured in a British soap opera during one of his earliest acting jobs. After rising to prominence in 2007 through the BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey, the performer established himself on both sides of the pond, subsequently presenting The Late Late Show in America from 2015 to 2023.
Early role in Chester-set soap
The soap opera in question is Hollyoaks, where Corden appeared during the late 1990s. He took on the role of school janitor Wayne Clark - amongst his earliest speaking roles following appearances in Nickelodeon's football comedy Renford Rejects and Boyz Unlimited, also on Channel 4.
Corden actually featured 18 times in the Chester-set soap between 19 November 1998 and 31 May 1999.
Memories of the role
However, it seems he doesn't recall his stint on the programme with much affection. In 2020, he told The New Yorker magazine that he had rejected a £70,000 offer to prolong his contract. "I swear to God, if I had done that show I'd have been there for five years, and I'd probably be on Dancing with the Stars right now," he said.
The performer has also previously claimed he was "fat-shamed" and likened the acting experience to being imprisoned and "hell on earth". Corden revealed he even refused to shoot one particular scene where his character, Wayne, had bedroom walls decorated with pictures of junk food.
"I thought that they were just really being nasty about anyone that's overweight," he said. "I remember saying to the guy, 'I don't know one person who would take a picture of a hot dog and a burger and stick them on the wall'."
Fans react online
Hollyoaks Wiki says of his role online: "Wayne Clark was a janitor who worked at Hollyoaks Community College in 1999. Wayne was friends with Paul Millington and Sol Patrick, befriending them as they worked community service for a car theft in May 1998.
"After leaving HCC, Wayne ran a car wash stall and employed Sol. After Sol was imprisoned for stealing a car and crashing it, Wayne closed the stall and left the village."
On a 'Hollyoaks Overdose' Facebook post looking back at Corden's time on the show, one member asked: "Who remembers James Corden in Hollyoaks? Don't think we will be seeing him return to be honest!"
In the comments, one Facebook user confessed: "Don't remember at all." Another person said: "I think this was way before my time." A third wrote: "Apparently he doesn't like to be reminded of this role!"
While a fourth joked: "I do [remember], I also remember a loud farting noise as he walked away in scenes in the school corridors."
Hollyoaks has been contacted for comment.
