James Corden has come under fire from David Letterman who branded the television personality a "tubby kid" ahead of his American chat show debut.
James Corden
The Brit is to take over The Late Late Show on March 23 following the departure of Craig Ferguson on December 19, but Letterman's questioned why guest presenters are filling in for Corden in the meantime.
Speaking on The Late Late Show to guest host Regis Philbin, Letterman said: "Did they give you this show? I thought it was that chubby guy that got the show, from Great Britain, from England.
"Let me ask you a question - when they said to you, 'Regis, come to New York and do a show?', did you say, 'Meh, I need four to five months to put my things in order?' No. You were here. You were here Monday, right?
"They call you Friday, you're here Monday. Where's the tubby kid? Who's taking over the show.
"Well, let me ask you this, 'How bad does he want to do a show?' There aren't that many shows. How bad does he want it? Where is he?"
Philbin jumped to Corden's defence, saying: "He wants it, he loves it."
But Letterman wouldn't let up and replied: "Really? Well, where is he? Why are we talking to you?
"I'm just saying, if I've invested my money in a guy to do a show and he says, 'I'm going to need a couple of months', I think that's a flag.
"This guy - where is he? Is he even in this country? Don't you think that's a question that should be answered - where is the guy? I do."
However he went on to eventually admit he was a fan of the Brit, calling him a "very nice fella".
Tagged in David Letterman James Corden Craig Ferguson