James Corden slams Hollyoaks

Life for funnyman James Corden couldn't be better. But whatever you do, don't mention Hollyoaks to him.

Best known for his Bafta award-winning show Gavin and Stacey, the comic star once played the part of a janitor in the soap for two months at the age of 18.

Now 29, James doesn't mince his words: "I'd actually rather die than go back. It’s f***ing awful. I can’t tell you the sheer disdain I have for the place and people."

The History Boys actor went on to tell Esquire magazine: "I met a couple of good friends there, but it's 20 per cent nice people and 80 per cent c***s.

"It's a programme made by c***s and full of c***s. It just breeds pricks – all these people walking around with this chicken-in-a-basket fame, talking about going to LA."

Ouch! So I guess we can rule out any guest appearances from the Hollyoaks crew in the forthcoming Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special.

After such an outburst, anyone would think James is the last person to admit to being arrogant, but he confesses he has a "sizeable" ego.

So much so, it took a talking to from Gavin and Stacey co-star Rob Brydon to keep him in check after he spoke out of turn to his co-writer Ruth Jones.

James recalled: "Rob sat me down and said: 'You have a chance of doing something great, but you’ve got a real chance of f***ing it up. Only you can decide which it is'."

The September issue of Esquire is on sale tomorrow.

by Luke Blackall and Kala Paul-Worika