Cheryl, David Beckham and Taylor Swift lead celebrity tributes to those killed and hurt in suicide bomb attack at Ariana Grande’s Manchester gig
CHERYL has said she's "absolutely sickened and angered" by the terror attack that left 22 people killed and many more injured following an Ariana Grande concert last night.
The new mum is among hundreds of celebrities including Harry Styles, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry who have paid tribute to the 22 killed and 59 injured in the suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena.
She joined a whole host of stars paying their respects and sharing their shock online today.
Her boyfriend Liam Payne also took to Twitter to express his condolences and said: "To see what has happened in Manchester makes me really sad. My thoughts are with those that are experiencing such tragedy at this time x".
David Beckham said he is "truly saddened" by the terror attack that left concert-goers killed and injured.
The former Manchester United player posted on Facebook: "Heartbreaking news from Manchester.
"As a father and a human what has happened truly saddens me. My thoughts are with all of those that have been affected by this tragedy..."
His wife Victoria tweeted: "My heartfelt thoughts and prayers for all those effected by the tragedy in Manchester last night 🙏🏻 x VB #Manchester".
Stunned celebrities from all over the world shared their shock at the news with the most heartfelt coming from Ariana Grande herself who said: "broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words."
Olly Murs wrote: "No one should go to a concert and never come home 💔".
Manchester native and Oasis star Liam Gallagher said he was "in total shock and absolutely devastated about what's gone down in MANCHESTER sending Love and Light to all the family's involved LG x".
Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook told of his relief that his daughter was not hurt at the concert.
He wrote: "My daughter made it home safe from Ariana Grande last night. My heart goes out to all parents & those involved. Manchester stay strong. X".
Rihanna's posted a heartfelt reaction to Twitter saying: "#Manchester has always been so close to my heart! These are innocent vulnerable kids, this could've been any of us! I'm devastated!"
Harry Styles tweeted: "I'm heartbroken over what happened in Manchester tonight. Sending love to everyone involved. H".
His One Direction bandmate Niall Horan also paid tribute saying: "Absolutely horrendous what happened in Manchester tonight. My thoughts are with the great people of Manchester and also Ari and her team xx".
Louis Tomlinson also wrote: "Sending all my love to every single family at the Manchester show last night. So upsetting".
Little Mix, who supported Ariana on the American leg of her world tour also tweeted their condolences.
They said: "We are so saddened by the tragedy in Manchester last night. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to the beautiful Ariana fans and their families ❤️".
News of the attack soon crossed the Atlantic with US singers Taylor Swift, P!nk, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, Bruno Mars and Selena Gomez all taking to Twitter to share their thoughts with the victims.
Eyewitness and Emmerdale star Isabel Hodgins' spoke to Sky News relaying the chilling moment when the explosion happened.
Mancunian comedian Jason Manford broke down in tears as he issued a Facebook video sharing his outpouring of grief.
Fighting back the tears, the dad-of-five said: "You immediately think of your own family. You just think it's safe when it's your city.
"I don't know why. You don't think it will happen on your doorstep."
Actor John Barrowman also issued a Facebook tribute to those killed and injured at the concert saying: "My thoughts are with everyone in Manchester. We're all thinking about you."
Love Island star and Manchester native Scott Thomas offered to help anyone in need.
Sharing a snap of the city, he wrote: "If anyone knows me they know how proud I am to be from Manchester! The fact that this has happened in my own city makes it even more real and I literally can't believe it! My thoughts are with everyone involved and if there is ANYTHING I can do for anyone I will! #prayformanchester #wearemanchester ❤️️".
Sports legends Gary Linekar, Rio Ferdinand and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson also shared emotional
tributes on social media.
Ant and Dec wrote: "Thinking about and praying for everyone at, and around, @ManchesterArena tonight. Be safe. D x
Take That's Howard Donald said: "I'm really hoping the casualties are not as many as it's displaying all over the news. Sending out love and strength to all #Manchesterarena".
Musical icon Cher tweeted: "My prayers go out to ppl of Manchester...had special times there from youth & beyond."
Ray Donovan star Eddie Marsan thanked the emergency services, writing: "My thoughts are with those who've suffered in Manchester tonight. Thank you Emergency services & people of the city for fantastic response."
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Sir Alan Sugar hit out at the perpetrator tweeting: "Terrible event at Manchester. Targeting kids. The parents and relatives of these terrorist know who they are. They are just as responsible."
Broadcaster Piers Morgan followed the millionaire's tone of disgust tweeting: "Who targets a pop concert full of young children? This is depravity beyond human comprehension. #manchester"
Retired England footballer Gary Lineker shared: "Truly awful news from the great city of Manchester. Thoughts are with all those affected."
Katy Perry said: "Broken hearted for the families tonight. Broken hearted for Ari. Broken hearted for the state of this world."
Singer Lorde spoke of her torment writing: "every musician feels sick & responsible tonight—shows should be safe for you. truly a worst nightmare. sending love to manchester & ari".
He wrote: "Thoughts going out to all the victims and their familys (sic) in Manchester right now and you @ArianaGrande! #fancyacuddle"
One of his followers simply replied that it wasn't the time for jokes.
Jeremy McConnell was another tweeting after the explosion, writing: "Heart goes out to those who lost there lives in Manchester explosion ❤️".
Rixton's Jake Roche retweeted several posts from concerned relatives who had yet to make contact with their loved ones following the incident.
Pop star Ellie Goulding simply said: "Sending love to those affected in Manchester."
Supermodel Kendall Jenner tweeted: "What happened in Manchester tonight is absolutely horrible. sending my love and prayers to those affected."
Sister Kylie Jenner shared her sentiments soon after saying: "Wow wow wow I'm in disbelief. all my prayers to Manchester."
Rockers Kasabian wrote: "Our hearts are with everyone in Manchester this morning, had some incredible times playing that arena. Unbelievably sad xx"
Actress Sally Lindsay wrote: "Just woke up to the news about my beloved Manchester. Can't quite believe it. My thoughts and love are with all those families.xx"
A spokesman for Ariana Grande confirmed that the singer was safe.
Over in the States, an emotional James Corden paid tribute to the victims on his TV show in the wake of the horrific terror attack.
The comedian fought back tears as he spoke about the city on The Late Late Show saying: “Many of you won’t have ever been to Manchester, but you will definitely have heard of it.
“It’s famous all over the world for so many wonderful things....
“But when I think of Manchester, the place that I know, I think of the people there.
“And I’m telling you, a more tight-knit group of people you will be hard pressed to find.
“Strong, proud, caring people with community at its core – and if it was even possible, the spirit of the people of Manchester will grow even stronger this evening.
“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Manchester tonight, all of the staff at the MEN Arena, all of the security teams, the emergency services, Ariana and her team, and all of those families affected by tonight.
“We’ll all go to bed holding our little ones even tighter this evening.”
UK stars like Geri Horner, Emma Bunton, Andrea McLean, Ferne McCann, Holly Willoughby, Vicky Pattison, Scarlett Moffatt, Danielle Armstrong, Bobby Norris, Paddy McGuinness were among the thousands of tributes that flooded twitter when the heartbreaking news broke.
Spice Girl Geri wrote: "😔 I'm so so sorry for everyone in #Manchester ,the families, the children, & @ArianaGrande".
Her bandmate Emma shared a picture of the word "Why" and wrote: "Please not children. 💔#innocent #manchester #praying 🙏".
Paddy McGuinness wrote: "Sadly not shocked it's happened but feel totally devastated for all those innocent victims and their families in Manchester last night. RIP".
Singer Una Healy said: "I can't believe what's happened. Heartbreaking news just pure evil. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone effected in Manchester R.I.P".
Holly shared a picture of a police officer hugging a small child outside the concert and wrote: "We have such hero's working in our emergency services... Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do... x".
On today's Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid broke down in tears after her second call with Charlotte Campbell – whose daughter Olivia is missing since attending the concert on Monday night.
Her raw outburst forced the camera to pan away from the presenters to a still of the missing teenager, as she apologised: "I cannot imagine the agony parents are going through, I'm sorry."
Wiping tears from her eyes, Susanna said: "It doesn't help anyone if I get upset."
Co-host Kate Garraway supported her saying: "It's understandable to get upset Susanna, we are all feeling the same way."
Greater Manchester Police released a statement today saying: "We have been treating this as a terrorist incident and we believe that while the attack last night was conducted by one man.
"The priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network.
"The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena.
"We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated, causing this atrocity."
Witnesses on social media have reported hearing a “massive bang” before screaming crowds rushed out of venue with police confirming an explosion in the foyer area.
Unconfirmed reports from NHS sources have said the injuries seen suggest the explosion could have been caused by a nail bomb.
Social media users have reported seeing multiple arrests around the city, but police have not confirmed if these are linked to the incident.
Manchester's Victoria station, which backs onto the arena, was immediately evacuated. All services out of the train station have been cancelled until further notice
Eyewitness Courtney Spencer, a 17-year-old student who was with a pal, told The Sun: “It happened just in front of us at the top of the stairs. We didn’t know what had happened. It could have been a gun or a bang or an explosion.
“We just grabbed each other and got away. One lass was laying in her mother’s arms. I’m not sure if she has collapsed in shock or was injured.”