The 38-year-old talk show host recorded a video after the taping of his ‘Late Late Show’ on Monday (22.05.17) in response to the news that 22 people had been killed and more than 50 people were injured after a blast at an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in North West England.
Visibly emotional, James said: “It shocks me every time we hear this sort of news, that attacks like this can happen. But especially when there are so many children tonight.
“Many of you will not have been in Manchester, but you will definitely have heard of it.
“It’s famous all over the world for great things, wonderful football teams, for incredible music: Oasis and Joy Division. It was the birthplace of the first suffragette It’s the home of the invention of the first computer. It’s a place of comedy, curries and character.
“But when I think of Manchester, I think of the people there.
“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 Manchester will grow even stronger this evening.”
James – who has son Max, six, and daughter Carey, two, with wife Julia – ended his brief speech by sending “thoughts and prayers” to those affected by the tragedy.
He said: “My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Manchester tonight, all of the staff at the MEN Arena, all of the security teams, the emergency services, Ariana and her team and all of those families affected by tonight.
“We’ll all go to bed holding out little ones even tighter this evening.”