James Corden has branded one episode of his beloved sitcom Gavin & Stacey "awful" despite it featuring one of the programme's most memorable moments.
Speaking at the BBC Comedy Festival on Sunday, the actor and writer expressed his dissatisfaction with the show's second episode, which ends with the titular couple becoming engaged.
Mr Corden, who co-created the hit series with Ruth Jones, described the instalment as "very, very, very bad".
The episode follows Mathew Horne's Gavin as he travels to Wales to reconcile with Joanna Page's Stacey after a disagreement, ultimately ending with his surprise proposal.
James Corden expressed his dissatisfaction with the show's second episode
| GETTYMr Corden explained the creative team found themselves "backed into a corner" by deciding to end the episode with Gavin proposing to Stacey.
The whirlwind romance created challenges for the writers, with the couple only having met for the first time in London during the opening episode before the dramatic engagement scene.
While the comedian acknowledged there were some "saving graces" within the script, he stood by his overall assessment.
"It's an awful episode," Mr Corden said at the festival.
The actor branded one episode of his beloved sitcom Gavin & Stacey as 'awful'
|GETTY
The criticism comes despite Gavin & Stacey remaining hugely popular with audiences since its debut in 2007.
The sitcom concluded with a widely praised Christmas special in 2024, which saw Nessa and Smithy finally declare their love and marry, delighting viewers who had followed their on-off romance throughout the series.
Mr Corden and Ms Jones have since reunited professionally and are reportedly set to work together on a new project for Apple TV+.
The pair are expected to star in a ten-part comedy drama featuring an all-British cast, with production scheduled to begin next year ahead of a planned 2027 release.
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Gavin & Stacey debuted in 2007
|BBC
The deal was reportedly agreed amid interest from the BBC, Netflix and Prime Video, with the agreement estimated to be worth as much as £8million.
Mr Corden has not been without his clashes and controversies over the years.
One of the biggest scandals came in 2022 when New York restaurateur Keith McNally publicly banned the comedian from his famous restaurant Balthazar, branding him a "tiny cretin of a man" over claims he shouted at staff after his wife's omelette order was incorrect.
Mr Corden later apologised on-air, with the ban eventually lifted.
The presenter also faced accusations of joke theft after delivering a monologue on The Late Late Show that closely resembled a routine by Ricky Gervais.
He blamed his writing team and later apologised.
His performance in The Prom also sparked backlash, with critics accusing him of relying on outdated stereotypes in his portrayal of a gay Broadway actor.
Mr Corden has additionally apologised for several controversial jokes over the years, including remarks about Harvey Weinstein at a gala event in 2017 and comments about K-pop group BTS and their fanbase in 2021.
James Corden on set of Gavin and Stacey
|BBC
He also faced criticism over a segment on his talk show, which featured unusual foods as part of a game, after some viewers accused it of mocking Asian cuisine.
Beyond the public controversies, the comedian has long been dogged by rumours about his behaviour behind the scenes, including a widely publicised clash with Patrick Stewart at the 2010 Glamour Awards and claims from former colleagues regarding his attitude on set.