James Corden admired the "naughty" sense of mischief in the 'Peter Rabbit' books when he was a child.
James Corden
The 'Late Late Show' host - who plays the titular character in the upcoming big screen adaptation of Beatrix Potter's beloved children's stories - thought it was "amazing" when his mum read him the tales about the bunny's cheeky ways.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph newspaper, he said: "The overwhelming thing that I remember was, it was the first time I was read a story by a grow-up where the main character was naughty, where he was mischievous.
"I remember thinking, 'This is amazing, they have actively told him not to do that and my mum is telling me that he did it anyway.' "
Although he may have admired Peter's antics, he doesn't think he had the same naughty streak.
He added: "I guess I've always had a glint in my eye, but it's not really for mischief, it's mostly just fun. What I'm into is fun. I'm into a fun experience. I don't see the point of much of it unless we are trying to at least have a laugh on some level.
"I guess there are some similarities to what I was like when I was at school. I don't know if I was a ringleader, but I was more like, 'Imagine if you went and hit that fire alarm ...'
"They would go, 'Why don't you do it?' and I would say, 'No, I think it won't be as much fun as if you do it'. There was a lot of that."
Meanwhile, James, 39, showed his cheeky side alongside 'Peter Rabbit' co-star Daisy Ridley, 25, recently.
The pair took part in a 'no laugh challenge' for The Hook's Facebook page, as the former 'Gavin & Stacey' actor mocked the 'Star Wars' actress for missing the point of the pun-based game.
After she asked him why the scarecrow won a Nobel Prize - with an obvious punchline that he was outstanding in his field - James quipped: "I'm gonna answer it as if I'm you now, OK? For his incredible humanitarian work."
To watch the challenge, visit www.facebook.com/TheHookOfficial/videos/2413853505346760/
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