James Corden paid an emotional tribute to George Michael during the first episode of The Late Late Show in 2017. The host looked close to tears as he told viewers that the news of Michael’s death on Christmas day hit him “really hard”.
“I feel like I’ve loved George Michael as long as I’ve loved music…” Corden began.
“I can remember so many specific times in my life where I might have felt on my own, and George’s music would feel like, you would listen to a song and he would reach his hand out and tell you that you weren’t on your own and that these feelings were not particular to you.”
Corden, 38, recalled meeting Michael in 2011 when they took part in the Comic Relief sketch that inspired Carpool Karaoke- now a viral segment.
“It was the first time I had ever sung in a car with anybody. It’s become quite a big part of my life now and he really inspired it,” said the chat show host.
The Wham-turned-solo star died, aged 53, at his home in Oxfordshire on December 25.