Ariana returns to the stage at One Love Manchester

Ariana Grande has taken to the stage for the first time since the Manchester terror attacks, thanking over 50,000 fans for their "love and unity".

Despite the weekend's recent terror attacks in London, One Love Manchester still went ahead, with the 23-year-old returning to the city after a suicide bomber killed 22 people and left 116 injuried outside her concert on May 22.

After manager Scooter Braun introduced her as "one of the bravest people" he knew, Ariana took the opportunity dedicate her set list to victim Olivia Campbell after the Side To Side singer met with her mother in the days before the benefit concert.

"Before we go any further I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here today, I love you so so much, thank you," Ariana told the crowd at the Emirates Old Trafford stadium.

"I want to thank you so much for coming together and being so loving and strong and unified. I think the kind of love and unity that you're displaying is the medicine the world really needs right now so I want to thank you for being just that."

Going on to recall her emotional meeting with Charlotte Campbell, the pop star revealed that her set list was very originally very different before she changed it due to a special request.

"I want to also say I had the pleasure of meeting Olivia's mummy a few days ago and as soon as I met her I started crying and I gave her a big hug and she said that I should stop crying because Olivia wouldn't have wanted me to cry and then she told me Olivia would have wanted to hear the hits," she added.

"So that being said we had a totally different show planned and had a rehearsal yesterday, we changed everything and this evening has been so full of light and so full of fun and love bright energy. Thank you."

The benefit gig, which Ariana co-organised is hoping to raise $2million for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, with all proceeds going to the victims of the attack.

RELATED: Ariana to headline 'star-studded' concert in Manchester

RELATED: Ariana breaks silence after concert explosion

The emotional concert featured a host of celebrity performers including Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Mac Miller, Black Eyed Peas, Pharrell Williams, Robbie Williams, Take That, Niall Horran, Little Mix, as well as special surprise guest Liam Gallagher.

David Beckham, Helen Mirren, Halsey, Bastille, Demi Lovato, Jennifer Hudson, Chance the Rapper, DJ Khaled, Kendall Jenner, Kings Of Leon, Rita Ora and Twenty One Pilots also appeared in special video messages, showing their support for the event.

To close the event, the other artists joined Ariana on stage in an emotional rendition of her hit One Last Time.

Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram