James Corden Open to Becoming Mayor of London
According to a report from LBC, British television star James Corden has expressed interest in becoming the Mayor of London. The news was revealed after Corden attended the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards, where he met with politicians, including former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and former Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson.
LBC reports that Corden told the hosts of the Electoral Dysfunction podcast that he was a "regular listener" and "enjoys the cut and thrust of politics". A source at the BAFTA television awards told the Mail on Sunday, as quoted by LBC, that there was "talk that he should run for Mayor of London". The source added that Corden "clearly has a lot of respect for those who put themselves out there and run for office".
LBC states that Corden’s interest in politics is not surprising, given his history of speaking out on social and political issues. In 2019, he tweeted that he believed Labour would have performed better in the general election if Tom Watson had been the leader, rather than Jeremy Corbyn. As LBC notes, Corden has previously posted on Twitter criticising Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party.
The current Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, is widely expected to leave the position in 2028, meaning Labour will have to look for a new candidate. According to LBC, Corden is thought to be a Labour supporter, which could make him a strong contender for the role. As LBC reports, Corden has also been open about his admiration for those who enter politics, having met with several politicians at the BAFTA Awards.
In a conversation with the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, as reported by LBC, Corden expressed his enthusiasm for politics and his desire to be more involved. While he did not confirm that he would run for Mayor of London, LBC notes that his comments suggest that he is open to the idea. As LBC quotes a source, "it was suggested that he should step into the political arena and stand in the future".
Corden, 46, rose to fame playing the much-loved character Smithy in the sitcom Gavin and Stacey, which aired from 2007 to 2010. He reprised the role in the two reunion special episodes, which aired in 2019 and 2024. LBC reports that he attended the BAFTAs last week with his Gavin and Stacey co-stars, including Ruth Davidson, who won the award for Best Female Performance in a Comedy.
In recent years, Corden has gained prominence in the United States, hosting the late-night talk show The Late Late Show. However, he and his wife Julia returned to the UK last year and purchased an £11.5 million home in north-west London. According to LBC, this move could signal a renewed focus on his career in the UK, potentially including a foray into politics.
As LBC notes, Corden’s potential entry into politics could shake up the London Mayor race. While it is unclear whether he will ultimately decide to run, his comments suggest that he is open to the idea. As reported by LBC, Corden’s interest in politics is not new, but his willingness to consider a role as Mayor of London could make him a contender for the position in the future.
