James Corden has apologised for making jokes about Harvey Weinstein at an A-list gala at the weekend.

The Late Late Show star, who was brought up in High Wycombe and has gone on to be a global star, was hosting an AmfAR charity gala in front of stars including Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks in Los Angeles on Saturday, when he cracked a series of jokes about the Hollywood producer and the sexual assault allegations that have been made against him.

The jokes were widely condemned on social media where one user said: “If the problem is Hollywood not taking systemic sexual abuse seriously, the solution does not involve James Corden making light of the issue.”

Another said: “I've always made it my mission to tell every American I meet that we hate James Corden in the UK. Now they know why.”

The comedian reacted to the criticism on Sunday, saying he was “truly sorry” for the jokes.

He tweeted: “To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter. I was not trying to make light of Harvey’s inexcusable behavior but to shame him, the abuser, not his victims. I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention.”

He started the evening off saying: “It's a beautiful night here in LA.

“So beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage.”

The opening was met with a mixed reaction, with groans and the odd laugh, to which he replied: “I don't know whether that groan was because you like that joke or you don't like that joke.

“If you don't like that joke, you should probably leave now.”

James grew up in Hazlemere and went to Park Middle School and Holmer Green Upper School, as well as Jackie Palmer Stage School, in Bridge Street.