Former Westlife star Brian McFadden is on a mission to help the homeless in Manchester.
The Irish singer, who now lives in Rochdale, is hosting a fundraising show in the city for the homeless charity Crisis.
Brian, 39, says seeing people sleeping rough in Manchester has moved him to do something to help ease the situation at Christmas, which can be the most difficult time of year for the homeless.
"It's such an important cause," Brian told us.
"It's something that touches my heart. It's heartbreaking when you go to a place like Manchester and you see people on the streets.
"People think they must be into crime or drugs but it's not the case.
"Sometimes they've had severely bad luck, and there are people who have fought for their country living on the streets.
"There are ex servicemen and women and they are suffering from mental health problems.
"It doesn't take much to get a person off the streets at Christmas for the night.
"Every time you walk through the streets of Manchester you can't go from one shop to another without seeing a homeless person lying on the street and it breaks your heart, the amount of money we spend on sport and clothes.
"Definitely we can spend much better."
He added: "A lot of people have hit rock bottom and don't have a family.
"As you get older you don't have as many friends as you did in your 20s and would they be able to take you in?
"This is my first time getting properly involved in this cause.
"There are people who just need that footstep on the right road and they can be on the road to becoming self sufficient."
Brian is hosting and performing at two shows called Brian McFadden’s Christmas Jam – one in Manchester at the Gorilla club on Friday December 20 and the other one at the 100 Club in London on Sunday December 22, in association with Musicians Against Homelessness, supporting Crisis.
Special guests will include singers Emily Capell, from London, and James Holt, from Bolton plus DJ Katie Owen, who is Line of Duty star Vicky McClure’s stepdaughter.
Tickets cost £15.
To buy tickets contact seetickets.com
