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Britain's Got Talent MOVE Sunday night's final to avoid clashing with Ariana Grande's Manchester benefit concert

ITV have confirmed that they have moved Britain’s Got Talent’s live final to Saturday night in order to avoid clashing with Ariana Grande’s Manchester attack benefit concert on Sunday.

Last night, Ariana confirmed that she will be returning to Manchester on Sunday [4 June] to headline a star-studded gig in aid of the victims of last Monday’s terrorist attack, which saw 22 people lose their lives and countless others suffer serious injury when suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a homemade nail bomb at one of the exits of Manchester Arena following the star’s sold-out concert.

BGT have moved the grand final.
BGT have moved the grand final.

Originally billed to take place on Sunday June 4 at 7.30pm, Britain’s Got Talent have now made the decision to bring the grand final forward, now due to take place on Saturday June 3 at the same time.

A rep for the show said in a statement: “Ariana Grande’s One Love Manchester benefit concert is bringing artists and the public together, and will raise funds for the Red Cross’s Manchester Emergency Fund.

“ITV and Britain’s Got Talent have no desire to distract from this important cause, so we have taken the decision to move the Britain’s Got Talent Final from Sunday night.”

Ariana organised a benefit concert for victims of the attack.
Ariana organised a benefit concert for victims of the attack.

As a result, the scheduled British Soap Awards will now air on Tuesday June 6 at 8pm.

Ariana was left “traumatised” and “in hysterics” by the horrific attack on her fans last week but is said to be focusing on the victims, calling on a host of her celebrity pals to join her onstage for this Sunday’s show.

Stars set to perform include the likes of Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Niall Horan and Take That, with the benefit taking place at Old Trafford.

Although a broadcast time is yet to be confirmed, it is thought that the BBC will show the concert live from 7.15pm until 10.15pm on Sunday night.

Ariana will return to Manchester in June for a benefit concert in aid of the victims (Photo: David X Prutting/BFA/REX/Shutterstock)
Ariana will also spend time with the victims.

All ticket proceeds from the show will go directly to the We Love Manchester emergency fund, which was set up by Manchester City Council in partnership with the British Red Cross in order to support grieving families and attack victims.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, PC Ian Hopkins revealed that all of the families of those affected were consulted by Ariana’s team before the concert was announced, sharing: “When the idea of the concert came up, the first reaction was we need to speak to the families of the victims and see what they feel.

Thousands of people across the country have paid tribute to the victims of the attack.
Thousands of people across the country have paid tribute to the victims of the attack.

“It is fair to say that the majority of them are very much in favour, there are some that clearly aren’t and that is absolutely understandable.”

Those who attended Ariana’s concert last Monday will be able to attend this Sunday’s show for free, all others will be able to buy tickets when they go on sale tomorrow.

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