James Corden was a long way from Barry Island on Monday as he relaxed with wife Julia Carey aboard a sprawling yacht on the Italian Riviera. 

The Gavin & Stacey star appeared to be enjoying a late spring break with Julia and a group of friends in picturesque Portofino – a popular holiday destination for the rich and affluent. 

Peeling off his shirt, Corden, 46, made the most of soaring coastal temperatures while unwinding on the chartered mega-yacht as it cruised the Mediterranean. 

Joining her husband, Julia, 49, caught the eye in a plunging white swimsuit as they idled on the boat’s top deck. 

The couple were unwinding in Italy as Corden prepares to to make his return to Broadway this summer.

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James Corden was a long way from Barry Island on Monday as he relaxed with wife Julia Carey aboard a sprawling yacht on the Italian Riviera

The Gavin & Stacey star appeared to be enjoying a late spring break with Julia and a group of friends in picturesque Portofino

He will star as Serge in a new production of ART, Yasmina Reza’s comedy about friendship, ego and modern art. 

The limited 17-week run from August through December marks a much-anticipated return to the stage for Corden, who won a Tony Award for his performance in One Man, Two Guvnors in 2012.

He will star opposite How I Met Your Mother’s Neil Patrick Harris and Jumanji’s Bobby Cannavale. American theatre director Scott Ellis is set to helm the production.

Ellis’s past credits include Pirates! (or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder’d), English, and A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical.

The role will mean extended time away from his family.

Corden who lives in the UK with his wife Julia Carey, 48, and their three children, Max, 13, Carey, 10, and Charlotte, 7, will spend several weeks in New York for rehearsals ahead of the official run.

A theatre insider told MailOnline: ‘It’s exciting to see James Corden return to the stage in ART – even if only for 90 minutes a night.

‘While his recent turn in The Consтιтuent at the Old Vic was somewhat underwhelming, this new production is sure to be one of Broadway’s H๏τtest tickets.’

Peeling off his shirt, Corden made the most of soaring coastal temperatures while unwinding on the chartered mega-yacht as it cruised the Mediterranean

Corden was enjoying his latest overseas break as he prepares to to make his return to Broadway this summer

Joining her husband, Julia caught the eye in a plunging white swimsuit as they idled on the boat’s top deck 

The presenter was seen taking pH๏τos on his mobile phone while cruising the Mediterranean 

The presenter waved at onlookers as his mega-yacht cruised off the coast of Portofino 

ART, originally written in French and translated by Christopher Hampton, premiered in Paris in 1994 before transferring to London’s West End and then Broadway, winning the Olivier, Tony, and Molière Awards for Best Play.

The story centres on three friends – Serge, Marc, and Yvan – whose relationships are tested when Serge buys an expensive, entirely white painting. The play explores themes of taste, loyalty, and the fragile nature of male friendship.

The news comes as The Mail on Sunday revealed that Corden – who spent eight years in Los Angeles hosting The Late Late Show before relocating to the UK last year – is now said to be weighing up a run for Mayor of London.

Corden, who cemented himself as a household name playing Smithy in Gavin & Stacey, has been vocal about his political views but has always stopped shy of taking it further.

Corden and Julia appeared to be thoroughly enjoying their holiday in one of Italy’s most glamorous seaside destinations

The presenter shared a joke with another member of his group during Sunday’s outing 

However, at the BAFTA television awards, Corden was introduced to the hosts of the Electoral Dysfunction podcast and revealed his latest ambitions to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby, former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and former Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson.

An onlooker said: ‘James told them he was a regular listener to their podcast and how much he enjoys the cut and thrust of politics.

‘He clearly has a lot of respect for those who put themselves out there and run for office.

‘And it was suggested that he should step into the political arena and stand in the future. There was talk that he should run for Mayor of London.’

The current mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, was first elected in 2016 and won a third term last year.

Corden’s representatives have been contacted for comment.

The actor cemented himself as a household name playing Smithy in Gavin & Stacey

Corden is set to return to Broadway after winning a Tony Award for his performance in One Man, Two Guvnors in 2012 (Pictured in One Man, Two Guvnors)