James Corden faced a backlash after describing Sidcup as 'almost the armpit of England', but a spokesman for the comedian has said he didn't mean to cause offence.

The Gavin and Stacey star was interviewing American actress Lake Bell who studied at Sidcup's Rose Bruford College.

During the segment on Corden's Late Late Show they were talking about her time studying at drama college when she said she thought Sidcup would be "lovely" because it was "in the countryside".

The actress told Corden: "When I got to Sidcup it was in a car commercial on at the time which used Sidcup as the punchline to depict that it was the armpit of England."

Corden replied: "It isn't the armpit, but it's close. It's on the way."

News Shopper:

Students at Rose Bruford College in Sidcup.

Earlier in the show Corden told viewers: "It sounds delightful. Sidcup sounds like somewhere you go for afternoon tea... you leave by the afternoon, because you don't want to be there when it is dark."

A spokesman for Corden, who is currently enjoying a holiday, said he wouldn't meaningfully want to offend the residents of Sidcup.

Sidcup ward councillor Rob Leitch, who was born and bred in the town, has reached out to Corden in a bid to change his mind.

He described the comments as "exasperating" for those working to improve the town.

Coun Leitch told News Shopper: "I think he's wrong and his comments set back the work we're trying to do.

"I'm inviting him to come back, I'd love to show him around.

"I'm hoping he will see the light if he comes to Sidcup."

He added: "I think Sidcup is absolutely blessed to have Rose Bruford and Bird College.

"Few towns can say they have got such talented people on their doorsteps."

 


A spokesman for Rose Bruford said the college would welcome Corden to see one of their productions.

He told News Shopper: "We're very proud to have been in Sidcup for over 60 years.

"We hope that Sidcup's proud that we have trained actresses like Lake Bell who have become international stars."