Thre have been rumors for a while that James Corden was on the way out in late night at CBS. The British born host announced Thursday that he has signed for one last season of The Late Late Show, ending his run in the 12:35 am slot at the end of the 2022-23 season.

“Seven and a half years ago, I started hosting this show,” he said during his behind-the-desk monologue. “And there is no other way to put it, it has changed my life. I love it. I love all the people that work here. I am so proud of what we’ve achieved. It’s been beyond my wildest, wildest dreams. So I’m happy to announce today that I’ve signed a new contract, to carry on hosting The Late Late Show.”  

“The sadder news is, I’ve decided to sign on for one more year on the show and that this will be my last year hosting The Late Late Show.

The 43-year-old added that he never wanted the show “to overstay its welcome in any way. I always want to love making it. And I really think in a year from now that will be a good time to move on and see what else might be out there. Okay?”

Hand-picked to succeed Craig Ferguson by former CBS CEO Les Moonves, Corden began his run in March of 2015. The series soared in its early years with the popularity of Corden’s signature bit, “Carpool Karaoke.” Car ride sing-a-longs with Adele (254 million views) and Paul McCartney (64 million) set YouTube records. The pandemic seemed to derail some of that momentum, forcing Corden to park the popular segment during COVID’s most infectious months.  

Corden promised to go “out with a bang in the final season ahead. “There is going to be Carpools, and Crosswalks, and sketches and other surprises.” 

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Speculation as to who might follow Corden at CBS has already begun, with NBC/Peacock prodigy Amber Ruffin’s name among the early whispers. Despite the fact that he is sitting behind Corden’s actual desk in the photo below, there is no chance that the job will go to this guy:

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