James Corden gave a heartfelt monologue about Manchester following the attack outside Ariana Grande’s concert.

The incident actually occurred at the same time he was taping The Late Late Show, so he ended up recording the monologue in the studio after his audience had left, but it was broadcast at the beginning of the episode.

“Good evening,” he started. “While taping our show earlier tonight we heard the horrific news coming out of Manchester, in England, that there has been an incident at Ariana Grande’s concert. We still have no real information about what’s happening. All we know is the tragic news is that there are multiple fatalities and many injuries,” said the late-night host, who was born in London but raised in Buckinghamshire. “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.”

Many of you won’t have ever been in Manchester, but you will definitely have heard of it. It’s famous all over the world for so many wonderful things. Great football teams: Man City and Man 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 invention of the first computer. It’s a place full of comedy and curries and character. 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 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.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Manchester tonight. All of the staff at the MEN Arena, all of the security teams, all of the emergency teams, Ariana and her team and all of the families affected by tonight. We’ll all go to bed holding out little ones even tighter this evening.”