James Corden picks up Tony award

TV funnyman James Corden has picked up a Tony award for his hit show One Man, Two Guvnors.

The 33-year-old, who found fame in the TV comedy Gavin And Stacey, beat a host of Hollywood heavyweights to the gong.

In an emotional tribute to his girlfriend Julia, he accepted the award, telling the audience he was “overwhelmed” at the honour.

The 66th Tony Awards were held at the Beacon Theatre in New York earlier today to celebrate excellence in Broadway theatre.

The star-studded event attracted celebrities from this side of the Atlantic, with a stage version of the low-budget Irish film hit Once winning nine out of 12 nominations.

But while Corden celebrated the award, British stars such as Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice missed out.

Corden won the award for best leading actor in a drama for One Man, Two Guvnors, which was nominated in seven categories.

He said it was a great honour to be mentioned in the same breath as actors such as James Earl Jones, Frank Langella, John Lithgow and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Corden said: “To be on a list with you was enough and holding this, it honestly just reminds me that there is no such thing as best.

“Honestly, I am overwhelmed.”

Corden said he shared the award with the show’s “brilliant” cast and crew, and thanked producer Bob Boyett, “who took a huge risk bringing this ridiculously silly play to your city”.