Ariana Grande has said that she is “thrilled” to be returning to Manchester this year to headline Pride.
The 7 Rings singer is due to top the bill at the annual LGBT event in August, two years after a terror attack that killed 22 at the end of her show in the city.
Children were among those who died in the tragedy and hundreds more were injured after a bomb was detonated in the foyer of the Manchester Arena in May 2017.
Grande, 25, returned to the city just over a week later to perform at the One Love Manchester concert which she organised to raise money for victims’ families and survivors of the attack.
Now the singer has said she is “thrilled” to be heading back to Manchester to mark the special event.
Hours after the announcement on Monday, Grande tweeted: “Manchester babes, I’m so thrilled to be headlining pride. My heart. I can’t wait to see u and I love u so so much.”
Grande also tweeted the worker bee symbol in a separate post. Grande also has a tattoo of the animal, which is synonymous with the city, and was made an honorary Mancunian following the devastating terrorist attack.
Grande was announced as part of a star-studded line-up on Monday morning. Pixie Lott, Basement Jaxx and Years & Years are also down to perform.
Mark Fletcher, chief executive of Manchester Pride, said: "This year marks a big change for the festival as it continues to evolve.
"Previously we had one event running over the weekend and this year we have two, each with a distinct offering. At Manchester Pride Live we're truly honoured to be welcoming Ariana back to the city to help us celebrate LGBT+ life.
"My team and I have worked hard to create a diverse line-up of performers who will join her in helping us continue to make a difference to the lives of LGBT+ people and celebrate the unity that exists in our brilliant city."
Manchester Pride Live takes place on the weekend of August 24 to 26.
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