When James Corden landed one of the top jobs in Hollywood last year – as host of The Late Late Show – it looked like he’d have to give up his role on Sky1’s A League of Their Own.
Fortunately for fans, Corden has managed to combine his talk-show commitments with frequent visits back to Blighty to film the comedy panel show.
This Monday, the show’s regulars – Freddie Flintoff, Jack Whitehall and Jamie Redknapp – return the favour when they jet off to the US to visit him, and take part in some some challenges with a Stateside spin.
For three episodes, their friendship will be pushed to the limit as they travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, where the overall loser will have to strip, live on stage, with the world-famous Chippendales.
TV&Satellite Week caught up with the intrepid trio to find out more…
Was it good to catch up with James again?
Jack: "We went to see his show being recorded and he took part in some of the challenges. It’s really good to see our friend doing so well out there. He was always a bit Hollywood, so it’s hard to tell if he’s changed."
What kind of challenges did you get up to?
Freddie: "We did everything from racing Nascar to hitting home runs with the baseball team Los Angeles Angels and a basketball challenge at Venice Beach."
Jamie: "We all expected Freddie to be brilliant at baseball, but it didn’t turn out that way. In fact, hardly any of the challenges went the way you’d expect."
The stripping forfeit sounds pretty harsh for the loser...
Jack: "We genuinely didn’t want to do it, so we were all trying really hard to win the challenges."
Did any of you get recognised in America?
Jack: "Jamie got recognised a bit, but that’s only because he was walking round in a Liverpool shirt with Redknapp on the back. But, no, I wouldn’t say any of us are big stars over there."
What kind of mischief did you get up to on the trip?
Jack: "There was a lot of stealing each other’s phones and texting random people like Gary Lineker and Jeremy Clarkson. We got Freddie’s phone and texted Kevin Pieterson, saying ‘KP, you are my hero’. And Jamie sent Princess Eugenie a very rude text from my phone."
We hear you all performed with Cirque du Soleil in Vegas...
Jack: "It was one of the most magical evenings in theatre. We were all given leotards and I had to sit in a hoop, twisting around a bit. It was quite impressive. I’m sure the audience had no idea I wasn’t a professional."
What were your favourite moments?
Freddie: "Eating massive burgers at the Heart Attack Grill in Vegas was pretty funny."
Jamie: "Visiting Alcatraz and swimming back to San Francisco was awesome. People think it can’t be done, but we all managed it – even Jack."
Jack: "I liked going to Muscle Beach, with everyone coming up to me asking what my training regime is…"
Were there any dangerous moments?
Jamie: "Well, we did spend a night camping in the Outback… "
Jack: "Er, I think you mean the wilderness Jamie. Yes, the three of us spend a night under the stars, and the following morning we’d become closer than we’d ever been…"
Sounds intriguing…
Jack: "I can’t tell you too much, but I protected Freddie and Jamie from a few packs of wolves that were close by. Have you seen The Revenant? It was like that."
