Hilton DresdenTaking a break from his usual jokes and smiles, James Corden paused before the beginning of The Late Late Show last night to speak about the Manchester bombing at Ariana Grande's concert, which has reportedly left 22 dead and at least 59 injured.
"It shocks me every time we hear this sort of news, that attacks like this can happen, and especially when there will be so many children at this concert tonight," Corden said, his voice heavy and on the verge of cracking.
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"Many won't have ever been to Manchester, but you will definitely have heard of it," he continued. "It's famous all over the world for so many wonderful things," including football teams, like Manchester City F.C. and Manchester United; "incredible music," including Oasis and Joy Division. Manchester is also the birthplace of the first leader of the suffragettes, Corden notes.
"But when I think of Manchester, the place that I know, I think of the spirit of the people there, and I'm telling you: a more tight-knit group of people you will be hard-pressed to find," he says. "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."
Corden concluded with a solemn message: "My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Manchester tonight, all of the staff of the Manchester Arena, all of the security teams, 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."
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