Charity worker is the ‘anchor’ in James Corden’s life

JULIA Carey is the woman who helped turn around James Corden’s life, giving him a happy home and the unlikely status as the darling of Broadway.

A former television producer turned charity worker, the 31-year-old was introduced to the comedian in 2009 by his one-time flatmate and stage and screen co-star in The History Boys, actor Dominic Cooper.

At the time, Corden was enduring difficulties, having recently split up with his long-term girlfriend, Shelley White, whom he had been dating since he was 17.

Ms Carey, however, won his heart and they enjoyed a whirlwind romance. After a period in his life where he was drinking too much, Corden revealed his lifestyle and outlook had changed drastically.

In an interview, he described Ms Carey as the “best thing that has ever happened” to him and the “anchor in my life”.

The couple became engaged on Christmas Day 2010, and the following March, she gave birth to their son, Max.

When Corden’s award-winning play, One Man, Two Guvnors, switched from London’s West End to Broadway, his fiancée and son moved to New York with him.

That period, he reflected in an interview last month, has been the happiest of his life – with time spent going for walks around Central Park with his new family between rehearsals and performances.

He said: “Every day so far there’s been a moment where we are walking through the park or having a picnic and Jules and me look at each other and say, ‘Oh my God, this is bloody amazing.’

“I’m genuinely the happiest man alive right now.”

MARTYN McLAUGHLIN