James Corden lavished with praise by viewers on his 'The Late Late Show' debut

He told the audience: “You probably don’t know who I am, rather like the rest of America.

“Believe me, however shocked you are about me doing this job you’ll never be as shocked as I am.”

James was joined by big-name guests Mila Kunis and Tom Hanks on his debut after replacing Craig Ferguson, and began with a skit jokingly showing how he'd landed the role.

In a nod to 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', he is seen finding a golden ticket placed in a chocolate bar by CBS boss Leslie Moonves.

In the pre-recorded sketch, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Leno appeared as his trainers for the presenting role, while Meryl Streep was his fairy godmother and Simon Cowell, Chris Rock, and Eddie Redmayne appeared as disappointed candidates who had lost out on the position.

During and after the episode, many heaped praise on James for his debut.

Audience member Brianne McDowell told Sky News: "I have never experienced anything like it. He was gracious and happy to have everyone there and he was so thankful for the opportunity. He was personable, talking about his family and his kids. He was really funny."

Lindsey Erin wrote on Twitter: "Oh my goodness. I think I love James Corden. (sic) "

Shannon Burton tweeted: "Awesome show tonight @JKCorden! Super funny!! I'll be watching every night!! #thelateshow #JamesCorden (sic)"

JohnneyTsunami wrote: "James Corden is killing it on the late late show. He's such a charming guy (sic)"

But some Twitter users were taking a far more cautious approach to James' debut.

jackObora said: "The all new Late Late Show with James Corden is ... interesting so far. Good. The jury is still out. (sic)"

Ron Wells tweeted: "I don't think it's going to take 3 months for America to be over James Corden on the Late Late Show. Only person laughing is him (sic)"

James - who is said to have been paid £1 million-a-year to present the programme - also got emotional during one section of the show when he thanked his parents for flying over to Los Angeles to see him on the show.

The star didn't always sit behind desk on the programme which provoked a Twitter reaction with some comparing his change of style to English motorists "driving on the other side".

Other highlights of the programme saw Mila confirm she is in fact married to Ashton Kutcher after James pressed the raven-haired beauty on the topic when she appeared on the show wearing a wedding ring.