Ariana Grande ‘forced to pull out’ of surprise Brit Awards Manchester attack tribute at last minute

Liam Gallagher has reportedly stepped in to perform
Cancelled: US singer Ariana Grande
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Emma Powell21 February 2018
The Weekender

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Ariana Grande is reportedly no longer on the bill for tonight’s BRIT Awards, despite rumours she was set to perform a tribute to the Manchester terror attack victims.

The US pop superstar, 24, is said to have dropped out in the last 24 hours, leaving show bosses “frantic”.

A source told the Daily Mirror: “It was utter chaos when the call came in that Ariana couldn’t do it.”

Liam Gallagher has reportedly stepped in to perform, and is expected to sing Live Forever.

“Liam has saved the day by stepping in at the last minute,” a source told the publication. “It’s a perfect choice. It’s going to be the moment of the evening.”

The pair previously performed at a benefit concert in Manchester weeks after 22 people were killed when a suicide bomber detonated a device during Grande’s concert at Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017.

Grande's manager Scooter Braun opened up about the incident, saying she "cried for days" in the wake of the attack.

Stars who performed with Ariana Grande at Manchester Benefit Concert

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Speaking on the Big Questions with Cal Fussman podcast earlier this month he said: “When she found out that fans of hers had died she was so sad. She cried for days.

“She felt everything, every face they announced, every name, she wore on her sleeve. Every bit of emotion because that’s who she is.”

Grande was made an honorary citizen of Manchester thanks to her fundraising efforts in the wake of the arena terror attack.

More than 50,000 people attended the One Love Manchester concert in June last year, with performers including Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber.

The Brit Awards are on ITV, tonight at 8pm

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