Watch James Corden out-perform Idina Menzel singing Dirty Dancing on The Late Late Show

He was barely known in the US two months ago, but the British actor and comedian is slowly winning over America

James Corden and Idina Menzel sing 'I've Had the Time of My Life' on The Late Late Show (CBS)

James Corden is having the time of his life.

After moving to LA to host The Late Late Show in front of thousands of Americans who had no clue who he was, the British actor and comedian is slowly winning over legions of US fans.

He’s posed as an unlikely underwear model with David Beckham, hit the streets of LA to perform Grease songs – and has now taken to the stage in the unlikely role as a stand-in Patrick Swayze to perform “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” with Frozen singer Idina Menzel.

Americans are so taken in by Corden’s cheeky charm that some have said they think he was better at singing the Dirty Dancing theme tune than Menzel.

CBS took a risk hiring Corden, but it seems to have paid off with the first episode of his late night show rating well, pulling in 1.6 million viewers – the show's largest Monday audience since 2011.

He’s certainly come a long way from his days as Smithy performing “World in Motion”:

Read more: James Corden gets ready to begin hosting The Late Late Show, but do Americans know who he is?