David Beckham gave a heartfelt address at last night's One Love Manchester concert held in tribute to the victims of last month's terrorist attack in the city's arena.
The 42-year-old former footballer spoke to the crowd via videolink, and apologised for not being able to be there in person.
"Sorry I can't be there this evening," he said in the message. "Manchester is a place that was my home for many years. The people are some of the most special I have ever met in my life. It's somewhere that means so much to me."
Beckham joined Manchester United in 1991 as a trainee footballer, and stayed with the team until 2003.
The father-of-four expressed his shock and sorrow at the terror attack which killed 22, and injured 59, after a suicide bomber targeted the crowd at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena.
"As a father, what happened made me truly sad," he continued. "It's a day we will never forget. I am proud of everyone there today: everyone in the crowd, and all the artists.
"Tonight is about remembering those that suffered so much on that night, but also about celebrating the spirit of this great city. It's a place we all love."
Grande - who organised the benefit gig to raise money for the families of the victims - was joined at the concert at Old Trafford by fellow artists including Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Coldplay and Liam Gallagher.
Proceeds from the concert went to British Red Cross's Manchester Emergency Fund, and so far it's estimated to have raised more than £2 million for those affected by the attack on May 22.
Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.
