James Corden Remembers George Michael: ‘First Time I Had Ever Sung in a Car with Anybody’

James Corden returned to The Late Late Show after the holiday break with a short message of remembrance and remorse for George Michael, who died Christmas Day.

"I feel like I've loved George Michael as long as I've liked music," Corden said. He added that, during moments of doubt in his life, he would listen to Michael's songs and feel like the singer would "reach his hand out" to let him know he was "not alone."

Corden also credited Michael with the creation of Carpool Karaoke, the hit video series where pop stars join Corden for a casual car ride singing their favorite tunes. Corden first did the bit in 2011 for Red Nose Day and was joined by none other than Michael himself.

"That was the first time I had ever sung in a car with anybody," Corden said. "And it's become quite a big part of what I do here."

Watch Corden's full message and the Red Nose Day sketch below.