Coronation Street cast pay tribute to Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett at Pride

Stephanie Soteriou

The cast of Coronation Street paid touching tribute to Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett at yesterday’s Pride parade through the city, with the ITV soap’s annual float being adorned with the hashtag “#BeMoreMartyn”.

The Corrie superfan was well known among the cast before his tragic death, with the 29-year-old PR manager even having a tattoo of Deidre Barlow on his leg.

Martyn tragically lost his life in the Manchester terrorist attack.
Martyn tragically lost his life in the Manchester terrorist attack.

Martyn’s coffin was covered in pictures of Coronation Street characters when he was laid to rest earlier this year, with some of the cast attending his funeral.

Actor Anthony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully in the popular ITV soap, is a patron of Pride and led the soap’s cast and crew on the main stage yesterday afternoon, honouring Martyn as he spoke to the crowd.

Speaking alongside stars Kym Marsh, Julia Goulding, Sue Cleaver, Daniel Brocklebank and Dolly Rose Campbell, Anthony said: “We have been very very lucky today to have some people here with us, and we’ve been very proud to have the parents and the boyfriend of Martyn Hett.

“Russell is here and Martyn’s parents are here.

“When Martyn left this current world at the Ariana Grande concert none of us ever believed that that could happen.

Anthony Cotton paid tribute to Martyn.
Anthony Cotton paid tribute to Martyn.

“But what we want to say on behalf of the Coronation Street cast and crew is Be. More. Martyn!”

The emotional speech drew huge cheers from the crowd with “Be More Martyn” trending on social media after it was revealed that he was one of the 22 victims of the terrorist attack at Ariana Grande’s Manchester Arena concert on 22 May this year.

The cast’s annual float was adorned with Martyn’s memoriam hashtag.
The cast’s annual float was adorned with Martyn’s memoriam hashtag.

There will be further tribute to Martyn during a poignant candlelit vigil tomorrow evening, which will bring Manchester’s Pride weekend to a close.

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Read more:

[ Mariah Carey pays tribute to Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett ]

[ Ariana Grande’s drummer reveals backstage aftermath of Manchester attack ]

[ Ariana Grande pays tribute to her ‘angels’ as she resumes tour ]


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