James Corden and Patrick Stewart in awards spat

Sir Patrick Stewart and James Corden became embroiled in a bizarre onstage spat at last night's Glamour Awards over the comedian's portly tummy. But there were few belly laughs when the exchange turned nasty and the two traded insults in front of the embarrassed audience for several minutes.

The clash began when Stewart, the theatre veteran and Star Trek actor, came on stage to present a gong for 'film actress of the year' and began haranguing Corden, 31, about his presenting style.

Stewart criticised the TV comic, who was the evening's host, for standing with his hands in his pockets and told him he should stop looking like he wished he was somewhere else. He added: "From where I was sitting, I could see your belly." 

If Stewart was joking - perhaps paying homage to Corden's Smithy, the blunt character he plays on BBC1's Gavin and Stacey - the humour was lost on Corden, who told the 69-year-old actor to get on with presenting the award. He then countered: "You could see my belly. I can see you dying right now."

The tussle was also brought up by several prize-winners throughout the evening. Accepting the 'film actress of the year' gong, Avatar star Zoe Saldana said to Corden: "I like your belly but I'd like to see Sir Patrick Stewart dying on stage any day."

In response Corden said "I feel bad for people who haven't seen my belly" and lifted his T-shirt up, showing his tummy to huge applause. Referring to Stewart, he said: "OK can we get a taxi really quickly please. There's an old man going home." 

Meanwhile the night's other winners included The One Show host Christine Bleakley, who won 'presenter of the year', Florence and the Machine who won 'band of the year' and Sam Taylor-Wood, who won 'filmmaker of the year'.

Taylor-Wood's fiance Aaron Johnson, who played John Lennon in her film Nowhere Boy, was the evening's lone male winner, taking 'man of the year'. Pop singer and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole was named 'woman of the year'. ·