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James Corden panics as Katie Couric topples down a flight of stairs on Late Late Show... but it's just a cheeky prank

Published: 13:59 EST, 2 April 2015 | Updated: 14:56 EST, 2 April 2015

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One of James Corden's 'worst nightmares' came true when guest Katie Couric toppled down a flight of stairs on the set of his new late night talk show on Wednesday.

But the act was all a part of the 58-year-old Yahoo Global News anchor's April Fools' Day prank as she later emerged unharmed surprising the 36-year-old British host of The Late Late Show by shouting: 'Gotcha!'

Not only did Katie completely fool James, but the former daytime talk show hostess also tricked the entire studio audience.

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Help! James Corden was completely tricked when Katie Couric hired a stunt double to topple down The Late Late Show stairs for a memorable April Fools' prank on Wednesday appropriately for the first day of the month

Just making sure: The 36-year-old host even offered to carry the 58-year-old journalist in his arms like precious cargo to go a few steps further to the couch

James gave a warm welcome as he introduced Katie to the main stage before her stunt double Heidi appeared to be trying to put her high heels on and hopping on one foot.

Unable to keep her balance, the woman mistaken for Katie rolled down the stairs as shocked members of the audience tried to lend a helping hand .

As Heidi finished her tumble and landed at the bottom of the steps, James appeared to show a genuine reaction of fret as he ran towards her.

Katie Couric pulls April Fool's prank on James Corden

Taking a tumble: The woman mistaken for Katie rolled down the stairs as shocked members of the audience tried to lend a helping hand

Oh my gosh! The British emcee appeared to show a genuine reaction of fret as he ran towards her to help

'Gotcha!' Katie later emerged unharmed and with a beaming smile on her face

'Are you okay? Wait, wait, wait is someone around?' he said as the show band abruptly stopped the music.

'Up here! Up here, James!' Katie screeched with a beaming smile on her face. 'James, April Fools'!'

'Oh my god! That's ridiculous! That was outrageous, most terrifying!' James said before burying his face in his hands with a sigh of relief.

He proceeded to roll over on his back laughing after realizing it was all a hoax. He even offered to carry Katie in his arms like precious cargo a few steps further to the couch.

It was all a hoax! Katie gave James a loving embrace after pulling off the prank

What a relief: 'I can't breathe! That's like our worst nightmare, that was so funny!'

Success: Fellow guests Emmy Rossum and Jeremy Piven were all in on the joke as James was the only one without a clue

'I can't breathe! That's like our worst nightmare, that was so funny!' James continued. 'We've been talking about these stairs and going back and forth. I was like 'Oh my gosh Katie Couric just died.''

The footage has already become a viral sensation and one of the program's most watched videos with over a 1.3 million views on YouTube.

'And yes, this is 100% real. EVERYONE was in on it except poor James,' The Late Late Show team commented.

Later in the show, Katie had a bit more fun with her stunt double Heidi as she participated in a sketch titled 'Katie Couric Beats Herself Up.'

With her look-alike still in house, Katie threw down wooden chairs over Heidi and shoved her on top of a table.