In footage of the event, Corden can be heard telling his audience that it is a beautiful night in LA – “so beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked me to go up to his hotel to give him a massage”.

Noting that his joke had not had quite the reaction he had hoped for, Corden continues: “I don’t know whether that groan was that you liked that joke or you don’t like that joke.

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

That caveat in place, Corden goes on to say: “It has been weird this week hasn’t it, watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water.

“Ask any of the women who watched him take a bath … it’s weird watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water.”

Finally, Corden concludes that “Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight but he’ll settle for whatever potted plant is closest” – but, as the audience continue to groan, The Late Late Show host seems utterly bewildered by the negative reaction.

“Oh, come on!” he argues.

James Corden apologises for those “offensive” Harvey Weinstein jokes