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 special involves Stacey's family, along with Nessa and her partner, Dave Coaches (Steffan Rhodri), spending Christmas with Gavin's parents. Gavin reveals that he has found a job in Cardiff, which at first causes upset for Pam and Smithy, but they both learn to accept it. Gavin later admits to Smithy that he is moving to Barry with Stacey in order to save his marriage. Smithy also gets upset when he feels that Dave, who lives with the baby, Neil, is replacing him as a father. Smithy is furthermore unhappy after Dave proposes to Nessa (with the ring enclosed in a