James Corden in 2004, Corden played the role of Timms in the original London stage production of Alan Bennett's play "The History Boys", as well as in the Broadway, Sydney, Wellington and Hong Kong productions and radio and 2006 film adaptation versions of the play. Also in 2006, he appeared in the film "Starter for 10". From 2007 through early 2010, Corden co-starred in his own series, the BBC Three sitcom "Gavin & Stacey". He co-wrote the series with his "Fat Friends" co-star Ruth Jones; Corden and Jones played the friends of the title characters, with Corden starring as Smithy. The series
Gavin & Stacey surnames of known English serial killers for some of the main characters – Shipman, West and Sutcliffe — was deliberate. In 2009 Ruth Jones commented: "I suppose we were hoping that people wouldn't realise and then when it does come to light, it's even more delicious..." Although the production team received requests, the show declined to use celebrity guests for cameo roles in the 2008 Christmas special. However, both Noel Sullivan and John Prescott made brief cameo appearances at the end of the final series. Both figures had formed the basis of long-running jokes throughout the series. Nessa occasionally refers