James Corden has allegedly responded to Lily Allen's claims that he was a 'beg friend' in the late noughties, calling the Smile singer's comments 'tacky'. On her podcast Miss Me?, which she co-hosts with best friend Miquita Oliver, Lily, 39, said last month, 'Yeah, James Corden was a bit of a beg friend for me. James came on my chat show [Lily Allen and Friends in 2008] and was very flirtatious with me, and we sort of made friends, and I introduced him to a group of my friends.'
The slang phrase 'beg friend' is defined by Urban Dictionary as: 'someone who kisses a**e, sucks up, compliments someone to be in their good books as it will benefit them in the present and the near future. They must do what they can to gain your friendship.'
Now, an insider has told The Daily Mail that the Gavin and Stacey star and co-writer, 45, thinks Lily 'was a bit of a t**t' to have said anything at all. The source claimed, 'When Lily recently talked s**t about him, to James it was just another day in his life, just another hater. He thought for Lily to bring up their past was tacky and that she was a bit of a t**t to have said anything at all.'
As reports swirl that the former Late Late Show host has now ignited a 'feud' with Lily, here is what we know.
2006: James and Lily first meet
Lily and James crossed paths in 2006 at the premiere of The History Boys. After complimenting her as 'confident, funny and intelligent,' the comedian wrote in his 2011 memoir May I Have Your Attention, Please, 'We got talking at the party after the film and she asked me for my phone number, which was a bit embarrassing as I was standing with my girlfriend at the time.'
2008: James appears on Lily's chat show
In 2008, James took the hot seat on Lily Allen and Friends to promote the latest series of Gavin and Stacey - and publicly flirted with the host. After Lily acknowledged his flirtations and commented on his 'dazzling eyes', James said, 'We've met once, maybe twice, but on my life, truly, I don't think you know how lovely you are.'
2011: James writes about Lily in his memoir
After detailing their first meeting in 2006, James went on to recall a certain encounter in his autobiography where he'd 'misread the signs' between him and Lily. He explained that he went out with the singer 'four or five times' after his chat show appearance - but it was never 'a proper date'. Then 'reality dawned on him' when he was hanging out with Lily and her friends at her home. After she said she was going to bed, she showed James the guest room and said goodnight.
He penned of the moment, 'Never have I felt such a douchebag. Who was I trying to kid? I remember lying in bed and realising how badly I'd misread the signs. There was no me and Lily, it was all in my mind.'
Now: The 'beg friend' drama
Despite calling James a 'beg friend' on her podcast, Lily did later joke that the same couldn't be said for the comedian today. She told listeners, 'I’d say if I’ve ever had a famous beggy friend it was James Corden, back in the day. He’s not begging me anymore. I’m not begging him either. I can’t do anything for him now. He’s good.'
On Miss Me? Lily admitted that the period of time she referred to James being a 'beg friend' is a 'bit hazy' but she refuted 'leading him on' - which she voiced thinking he had mentioned in his book.
Lily has not responded to James's alleged 'tacky' remarks. Grazia has approached James Corden and Lily Allen for comment.
Millie Payne is a News and Entertainment Writer for Grazia. She has specialised in showbiz interviews, features, articles and roundups for over three years and loves combining her love for writing, talking and all things popular culture.