Corden grew up in Hazlemere, a suburb of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. He studied drama as a young boy at Jackie Palmer Stage School and then attended Holmer Green Senior School in High Wycombe. Corden was not a serious student and did not attend university.

Corden's first role was in the musical Martin Guerre.

Corden starred in the British television series Fat Friends as Jamie Rymer, and played Gareth Jones in the series Boyz Unlimited. He has also made guest appearances on Little Britain and Teachers. His film credits have included Mike Leigh's All or Nothing (2002).

Corden played the role of Timms in the original London stage production of Alan Bennett's play The History Boys, as well as in the Broadway, Sydney, Wellington and Hong Kong productions and radio and film versions of the play.

He can currently be seen on BBC Three in Gavin and Stacey, a new comedy series that he has co-written with his Fat Friends costar Ruth Jones. He is currently filming the feature film Lesbian Vampire Killers.

Corden was nominated for the 2000 RTS Award for Network Newcomer - On Screen for his work on Fat Friends.