James Corden: I feared I would die in Tom Cruise plane stunt but couldn't say no

Tom Cruise and James Corden at an airfield filming for The Late Late Show
James Corden was flown in a fighter jet by Tom Cruise for The Late Late Show.( CBS via Getty Images)
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James Corden has confessed he tried to get out of flying in a plane piloted by Tom Cruise because he feared the actor would crash.

The Gavin And Stacey star recently joined the Top Gun: Maverick actor to recreate stunt scenes in a fighter jet over the California Desert for The Late Late Show.

Corden admitted to This Morning's Alison Hammond he was terrified they would die during the flight but he found himself unable to turn down the Hollywood star.

Read more: James Corden reveals Tom Cruise asked to land helicopter in his 'yard'

The chat show host revealed: "I tried [to say no]. I got so scared. I sent an email saying, 'This is so stupid. He's an actor, he's not a pilot.'

Tom Cruise pilots a plane with James Corden as passenger. (CBS via Getty Images)
Tom Cruise pilots a plane with James Corden as passenger. (CBS via Getty Images)

"When you're in a plane and it's just you and Tom Cruise, if something goes wrong you're both dead."

Corden went on: "He called me and said, 'James. You know I would never do anything to put your life in danger.'

"When he looks you in the eye, you just go, 'Let’s do it, Maverick!'"

Tom Cruise and James Corden
James Corden said when Tom Cruise looks you in the eye you can't say no. (CBS via Getty Images)

The 43-year-old former West End star also recalled an awkward encounter with This Morning host Phillip Schofield from his musical theatre debut when he was a teenager.

Corden revealed: "I'll tell you a story about Phillip Schofield. When I was in a musical called Martin Guerre, I was 17-years-old, my first ever professional show. We had the opening night of our show at The Prince Edward theatre. We used to do this song and the director was like 'Lock eyes with someone in the audience.'

"I'm 17 and I lock eyes and it's Phillip Schofield and he's so close to me. And I went [sings] 'Who are thee?!'

James Corden chatted to Alison Hammond on the set of The Late Late Show in London. (ITV)
James Corden chatted to Alison Hammond on the set of The Late Late Show in London. (ITV)

"And Phillip Schofield, I promise you, he went like this [tilts head to one side and nods approvingly.] And I have loved him ever since."

Schofield said: "Do you know I can vaguely remember that."

Corden is in London filming a week of live shows for The Late Late Show.

He revealed the first thing he does when he returns to the UK is stock up on Percy Pig sweets.

Read more: James Corden to interview President Joe Biden for 'The Late Late Show'

He confessed: "We've literally just landed, heading to Marks and Spencer, how many Percy Pigs am I getting? Literally came in at 70 bags."

Watch: Tom Cruise re-enact is his film career with James Corden