James Corden has reportedly vowed to pay the salaries for 60 of The Late Late Show’s production staff.
It’s thought the presenter, 41, will cover the wages out of his own pocket, after the staff were informed CBS would no longer pay them.
Production for The Late Late Show was halted in March as the state of California was placed in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, and James has since been presenting the show from his home in Los Angeles.
Kind gesture: James Corden, 41, has reportedly vowed to pay the salaries for 60 of The Late Late Show’s production staff (pictured in July 2019)
According to Variety, CBS originally vowed to cover the salaries of Late Late Show’s staff for eight weeks, but have now informed them this agreement has come to an end.
James then told staff last week that they would be furloughed going forward, but that he would be covering their wages himself.
The publication added that it’s possible the total figure James is paying to cover staff’s wages is ‘at least mid-five figures a week.’
Big move: A source claimed the presenter, 41, will cover the wages out of his own pocket, after the staff were informed CBS would no longer pay them
It’s also been reported that James and his Late Late Show producers have been keeping staff engaged with the show during lockdown through various work-from-home projects and daily talks over Zoom.
It’s thought due to the The Late Late Show’s simple production, it could be among the first series to resume studio filming as lockdown restrictions are relaxed.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for James Corden and CBS for comment.
Production for the show was brought to a halt in March as fears grew surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Big changes: Since March James has been representing The Late Late Show from his garage in Los Angeles after production was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic
Since then James has been hosting the show in his garage and vowed he will return to the studio in the future when restrictions at lifted.
The star was also forced to take a break from filming this week to undergo a ‘minor’ eye surgery.
In a statement shared to his social media platform, the former Gavin and Stacey star said: ‘Hey all. I had to have minor surgery on my eye yesterday. I am doing well and recovering, but won’t be able to film new episodes for a few nights.
‘Thank you to everyone who has been watching the Late Late Shows from my garage. I’ll be back soon. Stay safe and well everybody. x.’ [sic]
‘I’ll be back soon’: This week James also revealed he’d undergone ‘minor eye surgery’ but assured fans he’s ‘doing well and recovering’
Earlier this month, the Gavin and Stacey star, who shares children Max, nine, Carey, five, and Charlotte, two, with wife Julia Carey, candidly discussed the life lessons he has picked up during the global coronavirus crisis.
Writing for TIME magazine, the anchor confessed he doesn’t want to lose the feeling of gratitude he’s developed in the pandemic.
The TV star, who resides in Los Angeles but hails from London, added he’s ‘never felt so far’ from his British relatives and all that matters now is being there for those he loves.
Candid: Earlier this month, the Gavin and Stacey star candidly discussed the life lessons he has picked up during the global coronavirus crisis.
James mused: ‘I can see now that I’ve taken so many things for granted, things for which I’m now acutely grateful. When things do revert to some form of normalcy, whenever that is, I hope I don’t forget this feeling.’
Despite launching Homefest, a variety show taped at his home, James confessed: ‘I’ve never felt less inspired or creative — but the show must go on.
‘What matters now is looking after the people you love and being there for them.
‘And when all else fails, the power of a good deep breath, a chuckle with a friend and a glass of wine should never be underestimated.’
Important: The anchor confessed he doesn’t want to lose the feeling of gratitude he’s developed in the pandemic, but has struggled with being so far from his British relatives