James Corden has vowed to make his last series as host of The Late Late Show one to remember after announcing he was stepping down from the role.
The actor, 43, has been behind the desk on the popular stateside series for the last seven years but revealed on Thursday that he will only be in the chair for one more year.
And after telling fans the gig had "changed my life", he promised viewers he will "go out with a bang" and provide "so many tears" in his remaining shows.
Speaking in the opening monologue of the show, the Gavin & Stacey actor initially excited fans at the news he'd extended his contract.
He said: "I’ve some news of my own to share. Seven and a half years ago, I started hosting this show.
"It has changed my life. I love it, I love all the people who work here. I am so proud of what we have achieved. It has been beyond my wildest, wildest dreams.
"So I’m happy to announce today I’ve signed a new contract to carry on.”
But the crowd's cheers were quickly cut off by James who confessed: "That’s really only half the story.
"The other half is the sadder news. I’ve sign for one more year of the show, and this will be my last.”
As the crowd booed his announcement, the clearly emotional James joked: "Don't you dare."
With tears in his eyes and his voice breaking, he continued: "When I started this journey it was always going to be just that, it was going to be a journey, an adventure.
"I never saw it as my final destination, and I never want this show to overstay it’s welcome. I always want to love making it.
"I really think in a year from now that will be a good time to move on to see what else is out there. We are all determined to make this the best year we have ever had."
He concluded his speech by saying: "We are going to go out with a bang … there’ll be tears, so many tears, ‘cuz this has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. I never took this for granted, ever."
James originally took the elusive seat in 2014, taking over from Craig Ferguson.
The first edition of The Late Late Show with the Brit fronting it premiered the following year. By the time his reign ends, he will have been in the hot seat for eight and a half years.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
