'Spirit of the people:' James Corden reflects on U.K. attack

It was a sombre opening to The Late Late Show with James Corden Monday night in the wake of the explosion at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.

James Corden, the comedic host known for carpool karaoke, began with a tribute after hearing news of the attack while taping the show earlier in the night.

“It shocks me every time we hear this sort of news – that attacks like this can happen but especially when there will be so many children at this concert tonight,” he said.

“Many of you won’t have ever been to Manchester, but you’ll definitely have heard of it.”

Corden went on to identify what made Manchester famous: the great football teams, music like Oasis and Joy Division, the birthplace of the Suffragette movement and home of the inventor of the first computer.

“It’s a place full of comedies and curries and character,” Corden continued. “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 tightknit group of people you’ll be hard-pressed to find.”

Corden said Manchester was made up of “strong, proud, caring people with community at its core.”

“If it was ever possible, the spirit of the people at Manchester will grow even stronger this evening,” he closed, before offering his thoughts and prayers to arena staff, emergency crews, Ariana Grande and victims of the explosion.

“We’ll all go to bed holding our little ones a little tighter this evening.”

We opened our show talking about Manchester. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. https://t.co/yrgu03JTK8

— James Corden (@JKCorden) May 23, 2017