James Corden made cringe sex joke about Judi Dench, 90, and the audience's reaction said it all

James Corden has found himself in hot water this week after making a cringe-worthy sex joke about 90-year-old Judi Dench.

The British presenter appeared at the Breakthrough Prize Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday night (5 Apr), alongside a stream of huge-name stars.

On the guest list this year were the likes of Kate Hudson, Drew Barrymore, Paris Hilton, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lizzo and Christina Aguilera.

Also in attendance were the likes of Jeff Bezos, Katy Perry, Jessica Chastain, Gayle King, Rupert Murdoch, Zoe Saldaña, Alicia Keys, Jodie Foster and Will.i.am were among those in attendance on Saturday.

For those who mightn't have heard of these particular accolades, the Breakthrough Prize Gala is often dubbed the 'Oscars of Science', and celebrates some of the world's leaders in Mathematics, Fundamental Physics and Life Science.

Corden's remark had a mixed reaction (Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Facebook boss Zuckerberg founded the awards in 2012, alongside his wife Priscilla Chan, as well as computer scientist Sergey Brin, entrepreneur Anne Wojcicki and investors Yuri and Julia Milner.

The 40-year-old said of this year's awards: "This year’s Breakthrough Prize laureates have made amazing strides - including treatments for major diseases affecting millions of people worldwide - showing once again the transformative power of curiosity-driven basic science."

Sadly, however, what started out as a prestigious ceremony soon turned somewhat sour after Gavin & Stacey star Corden made an attempt at humour that didn't just include beloved Bond star Dench.

The joke was made about Judi Dench (John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI)

It also poked fun at US health official, Dr Anthony Fauci, best known as the infectious disease expert led the America's response during the Coronavirus, and for being chief medical officer to ex-president Joe Biden.

"Tonight is the one night that Hollywood and science come together," 46-year-old Corden began.

"Other than of course that one magical evening where Dr. [Anthony] Fauci had a one-night stand with Dame Judi Dench."

The joke also poked fun at Dr Anthony Fauci (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for GLAAD)

The remark was met with an unnerving silence by the audience, which is not surprising considering the time and the place - read the room Corden.

Amongst those to appear horrified by the Late Late Show star's ill-placed jibe was actress Olivia Wilde, who a number of attending cameramen immediately panned to after the controversial joke was made.

The Don't Worry Darling star Wilde, 41, appeared horrified - according to the Daily Mail.

Thankfully, Dame Dench sat out for this year's awards and was therefore nowhere to be seen for Corden's crude remark.

LADbible Media Group contacted Corden's representatives for comment.