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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Scarlett O'Toole

James Corden says he was 'ungracious' after making 'rude comment' at New York restaurant

James Corden has admitted he was "ungracious" and said it was never his "intention" to upset staff at a New York restaurant, following allegations he "yelled" at a waiter.

The Gavin and Stacey writer said he would like to make a personal apology to those he upset if he is allowed back to Balthazar, after owner Keith McNally briefly banned him from the eatery.

44-year-old James was widely criticised last week over claims he had been "extremely nasty" to staff on two separate occasions. Keith slammed the comedian on social media, with calls for James to be banned from other venues.

James returned to The Late Late Show on Monday evening and addressed the allegations made against him.

James said he had been 'ungracious' (Youtube/CBS)

He said: "Because I didn't shout or scream, I didn't get up out of my seat, I didn't call anyone names or use derogatory language, I've been walking around thinking that I haven't done anything wrong.

"But the truth is I have made a rude, rude comment. And it was wrong. It was an unnecessary comment, it was ungracious to the server."

James said he had "immediately" contacted the restaurant owner after seeing his social media post.

"[I told him] how upset I was that anybody was hurt by anything that I had done and anything that I had said and we had a good talk.

The star had apologised to the restaurant owner for his comments (Getty Images for The New Yorker)

"He appreciated the call. I was happy that we got to clear the air. And I felt like we dealt with it privately but by this point, the story was out there and more people were upset," he said.

"I get it. I totally understand. I understand everybody getting upset and I accept everybody's opinion.

"I also hate, as I said to the owner that day, that I've ever upset anybody ever. It was never my intention. It just wasn't.

"I love that restaurant. I love the staff there.

James faced a lot of backlash online (Getty Images)

"I hope I'm allowed in again one day so when I'm back in New York I can go there and apologise in person, which is something I will absolutely do."

James had previously told the New York Times that he did "nothing wrong" following the accusations from Balthazar's owner.

During the interview, planned prior to the incident, he also suggested that any online criticism of him likely reflected only a small part of the population.

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