Producer Ben Winston missed the latest episodes of his hit American TV programme The Late Late Show with James Corden to be with his family for Pesach.

It was the first time in close-on 200 shows that he had not been on set for the tapings, he told a sold-out UJIA and Maccabi GB event in Hampstead on Monday. Hollywood-based Mr Winston - who helped make One Direction world famous - also spoke about directing Adele and Tom Hanks.

"I've directed all these wonderful people and I feel really lucky," he said. "But yesterday was my favourite day in two years in that all my family were round at my house for Pesach. No one had communication with the outside world. It was a madhouse with more noise than I've ever coped with but it was the loveliest day."

With his wife, parents and cousin among the audience, the former X Factor executive producer added that it was important to him to keep kosher and observe Shabbat. "I like that Judaism gives you priorities, that it makes you stop for a day, because especially in television, you can become so swept up in what you think is important."

Citing his sister Tanya, a documentary director, as another example, he stressed that "there are people in this industry who are Orthodox and successful".