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Ariana Grande soundchecks for Manchester One Love concert after posing for backstage picture with local legends Take That

FINAL preparations for Ariana Grande's One Love concert are firmly underway, with the singer performing a soundcheck... and posing for a pre-gig selfie with Take That.

The US singer, 23, cosied up with the local heroes ahead of this evening's charity event, and singer Gary Barlow was clearly delighted.

 Ariana Grande poses with Take That ahead of the Manchester tribute concert
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Ariana Grande poses with Take That ahead of the Manchester tribute concertCredit: Instagram

Gary posted the photo to Twitter much to the delight of fans - some who cheekily joked that it seemed the Dangerous Woman star had the hots for Howard Donald.

In the photo she poses coquettishly next to him, with Gary and bandmate Mark Owen to the right.

There was no sign of original band member Robbie Williams, who is hoped to reunite with the boys on stage tonight.

A source told Bizarre: "Robbie has signed up to perform and, of course, the first thing the organisers ­suggested was getting him together with Take That, who are already on the bill.

“They are all great mates and love the chance to get together, so everyone agrees it would be a lovely thing to do for such an incredible cause.

 Tonight's gig will be the first time she has performed live since the bombing at her gig on May 22
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Tonight's gig will be the first time she has performed live since the bombing at her gig on May 22Credit: MCPIX
 Fans will see Ariana perform her usual slick and sexed-up show tonight
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Fans will see Ariana perform her usual slick and sexed-up show tonightCredit: MCPIX

“Being local lads it’s obviously something they’re all very passionate about supporting. They have gone to great lengths to make sure they can be there — even though it will mean Take That ­racing straight from the stage to their own gig later that night in ­Birmingham.

“Talks are very much ongoing and if they can make the timings work then it would be a very special reunion indeed.”

Also getting ready for the night ahead is Perrie Edwards, who shared a picture of her getting her hair and make-up done before taking to the stage with her Little Mix bandmates.

 Perrie Edwards showed fans how she is getting ready for the concert - with some perfect contouring
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Perrie Edwards showed fans how she is getting ready for the concert - with some perfect contouringCredit: Instagram

The chances are that the girls will have been warned to watch their language after Perrie dropped an F-bomb while at the Radio One Big Weekend in Hull.

The band were performing track Down and Dirty at the concert in when Perrie shouted “F*** that, get down and dirty!”

Their performance, which was being streamed live for viewers was then cut off abruptly as presenter Matt Edmondson issued an apology for the singer’s bad language.

He said: “So…apologies there, sincere apologies for any bad language you might have heard.

“Obviously that was not intended to go out on the radio.”

Earlier today Nick Grimshaw Instagrammed from the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, giving a glimpse at how big the concert will be.

 Giant screens flank the stage at Old Trafford Cricket Ground
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Giant screens flank the stage at Old Trafford Cricket GroundCredit: Instagram
 Another picture Nick Grimshaw posted showed the huge size of the venue
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Another picture Nick Grimshaw posted showed the huge size of the venueCredit: Instagram
 In a few hours the venue will be filled and the concert beamed around the world
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In a few hours the venue will be filled and the concert beamed around the worldCredit: Instagram

Take That's big reunion will be just one of the special moments of tonight's concert, which is being held to raise money for the victims of the suicide bombing at Ariana's Manchester Arena gig on May 22.

 Arina ran through tonight's songs with her band and dancers
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Arina ran through tonight's songs with her band and dancersCredit: MCPIX

She vowed to return to the city in a defiant message on Friday May 26 and true to her word she's back in the North West - and she's not alone.

Ariana and her manager Scooter Braun have contacted some of the biggest names in the music industry and booked them to perform at Manchester’s Old Trafford cricket ground.

All proceeds of the event will go to the victims of the concert atrocity and their families.

boxout headline="SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK"]– to raise money for families of the victims of the Arena bomb.

News UK, publisher of The Sun, has made a corporate donation of £100,000 to the appeal.

Here's how you can show your support....

ONLINE:

TEXT: Text TWMC50 and amount to 70070 – eg TWMC50 £5
(you can donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10)

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