SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE: Is homesick Corden ready to quit U.S.? The Late Late Show host said to be keen to return to Britain when £10million contract expires

Funnyman James Corden embodied the American Dream when he packed his bags for Hollywood last February to present one of the biggest chat shows in the U.S.

Yet despite the Californian sun and his multi-million-pound pay cheques for his job hosting The Late Late Show on CBS, is the Hillingdon-born actor and producer already tiring of the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown?

Just over a year since Corden moved wife Julia and their two children — son Max, five, and daughter Carey, 18 months — into an £18,000-per-month villa in Los Angeles, I'm told he is missing Blighty and is keen to move back to Britain as soon as his £10 million golden handcuffs deal with CBS expires. 

Just over a year since James Corden, 37, moved wife Julia and their two children to Los Angeles to host The Late Late Show, he is reportedly keen to move back to Britain. He is pictured with Adele for 'Carpool Karaoke'

'He was openly talking about returning to London,' says a source in America, who attended the same party as Corden this week.

According to my source, Corden is keen to do more film and theatre work. But his career plans may come as a shock to CBS bosses. Last August, the network extended Corden's initial three-year contract by two years, and reportedly increased his pay packet to £1.5 million a year.

Corden, 37, hasn't commented on his pay rise, but has discussed the fact he will be working abroad until 2020. 'Five years,' he said recently. 'They can sack me at any point, but I don't think I can leave.'

Corden, who grew up in 'normal' High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and shot to fame playing Essex builder Smithy in the sitcom Gavin And Stacey, has been a surprise hit since taking over from Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson on The Late Late Show last March.

Corden moved wife Julia and their two children — son Max, five, and daughter Carey, 18 months — into an £18,000-per-month villa in Los Angeles after landing a £10million golden handcuffs contract with CBS in the US

But the West Ham fan has confessed to feeling homesick.

Shortly after he arrived in LA, where neighbours include Steven Spielberg and Gwyneth Paltrow, he said: 'I miss my friends and family.

'There's a weird thing that happens at 2pm when you realise even if you wanted to you couldn't phone them.'

On the day it was revealed Sir Clement Freud was a paedophile, environmentalist Ben Goldsmith sent out a tweet to his followers: 'One of history's true monsters.' No, he was not referring to the ex-Liberal MP, but posted a link to a picture of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Was Ben having a sly joke at his sister's expense? Matthew Freud, son of Sir Clement, is said to be dating Ben's sister, Jemima.

Former England rugby star Ben Cohen, 37

Former England rugby star Ben Cohen has been plugging his new range of branded shaving products in the run-up to Father's Day and writes on social media: 'The perfect gift for the perfect Father: our new grooming kit available @bootsuk!'

Cohen, 37, (pictured) dumped his wife and two kids for Russian dancer Kristina Rihanoff, whom he met on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 and later impregnated, so I am not sure there are many people who would see him as 'perfect father' material.

There is speculation that the extra funds he raises from 'Ben Cohen Grooming Tools' will help to pay for his divorce from wife Abby.

Huw socks it to England 

Huw Edwards admits that when he reads the BBC news tonight his coverage of the day's big events — the result of this afternoon's Euro 2016 match between England and Wales — may not be quite as impartial as usual.

The 54-year-old presenter is planning to wear his bright red Welsh socks beneath his sober dark blue suit.

'I am very superstitious, in the best Welsh tradition, and will most likely have on my lucky Welsh socks, and a can of Felinfoel Double Dragon Ale at the ready should the result go the right way,' says the proud Welshman.

'If Wales win, I guarantee a clear signal to Welsh viewers when I report it. If we lose, I will insist on the story being suppressed. As one very distinguished colleague once said to me: 'When the red light is on, you can do what the hell you like!' '