James Corden's Remarks About Manchester Were Heartbreaking

On Monday night, an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England injured 50 and killed at least 22 people. Updates on the tragedy Tuesday morning indicate that many of the victims were children and young adults, some of whom are still missing. Late night host James Corden, who is from the UK, started Monday evening's program with a message for the victims and their families. James Corden's monologue about Manchester paid tribute to its people and touched on what many parents were thinking upon hearing the news.

At the top of his show Monday night, Corden said that during the taping of the show, he and his crew had learned of the “horrific news” of what happened in Manchester. Although Corden is known as a staple of late night entertainment in the United States, he hails from London and was clearly shaken by Monday night’s events. Realizing that many of his fans and viewers in the U.S. may not be familiar with the city of Manchester, he used the opening monologue of Monday night’s show to give an emotional tribute to the amazing city and honor its people in the wake of such an unthinkable tragedy:

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, great football teams, Manchester City, Manchester United. It's famous for incredible music, Oasis and Joy Division. It was the birthplace of the leader of the Suffragettes. It's the home of the inventor of the first computer. It's a place full of comedy, and curries, and character. When I think of Manchester, of 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. 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 also touched on what many were thinking immediately after news of the attack, which was that as it was a pop concert, many of the victims were likely to be children and teens. Corden and his wife, Julia, have young children themselves: a son and daughter, Max and Carey. “We’ll all go to bed holding our little ones even tighter this evening," Corden added tearfully.