James Corden is close to tears as he pays tribute to George Michael on The Late Late Show
JAMES CORDEN got emotional as he paid a heartbreaking tribute to George Michael on The Late Late Show last night.
James Corden remembers George Michael
The TV host, 38, appeared close to tears as he told the audience just how much the Wham! superstar - who appeared in the first Carpool Karaoke-style skit - meant to him.
In the return of his US talk show following the Christmas break, James said news that George had died aged just 53 on Christmas Day had hit him "really hard".
The presenter explained: "I feel like I've loved George Michael as long as I've loved music, and I know so many of his fans feel the same.
"I can remember so many times in my life when I might have felt on my own and George's music would feel like he would reach his hand out and tell you that you're not on your own and that these feelings aren't particular to you."
James Corden paid tribute to George Michael on The Late Late Show
James said George inspired his famous Carpool Karaoke skit
I feel like I've loved George Michael as long as I've loved music, and I know so many of his fans feel the same.
James also told how the pop star helped make Carpool Karaoke - which has since featured Michelle Obama, Madonna and Adele as guests - the massive success it is today.
George appeared in a sketch for Comic Relief, singing with James in a car, back in 2011.
The British star went on: "He really inspired it [Carpool Karaoke]. When we started the show here we were trying to get people to do Carpool Karaoke and not many artists wanted to do it....Mariah Carey...was the first person to say yes."
George Michael was found dead on Christmas Day
Fans continue to leave flowers outside George's country cottage
Tributes have been pouring in for the much-loved musician
He continued: "Her words were: 'If it's good enough for George, then it's good enough for me. I'll do it'."
Signing off his heartfelt tribute, James eventually said: "We all have so much to thank him for, for the music that he's given that will last forever. But we personally, here at this show, we owe him so much."
James' touching message comes as tributes continue to pour in for George, with fans swamping his Goring-on-Thames cottage - where he was found dead by his partner Fadi Fawaz - with flowers and messages.