Ariana Grande’s One Love charity concert for Manchester victims poised to become the world’s largest, surpassing Live Aid in viewership

MANCHESTER’S One Love benefit gig could become the most-watched to date — with more viewers than Live Aid.

So far, at least 43 countries are on board to broadcast it live, with America’s ABC signing up on Friday.

Networks in China, Australia, South America and across Asia will also air the gig live and in full, with many more in talks.

The event will also be streamed online, meaning the total number of viewers around the world could surpass the estimated one billion who saw 1985’s Live Aid concert.

And it will eclipse the 600million who saw Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday tribute concert in 1988.

A concert source said: “This is without a doubt the biggest event of its kind in recent memory, and with so many major broadcasters now on board around the world the potential for it to have a major impact globally is huge.

“Obviously the list of stars involved is incredible, and without a doubt it will be a huge TV draw in the UK but with people like Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry involved the global appeal is enormous.

“It could well be broadcast in close to 100 territories in the end, and the online stream means it could be bigger than anything that has gone before.”2005’s Live 8 will also be eclipsed by the gig, which will be broadcast in at least 43 countriesCredit: ReutersAriana will headline the gig, with proceeds going towards victims of the terror atrocity at her concert in the city two weeks agoCredit: Flynet Pictures

On Friday stars including headline act Ariana Grande were seen arriving in the UK by private jet, while British pop icon Robbie Williams was spotted in Manchester ahead of the gig at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

Little Mix, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams and Take That are also on the bill to perform.

It’s understood many of the show’s top names have made arrangements to quietly visit victims of the terror atrocity and their families to show their support in the wake of last week’s attack which killed 22 and injured 116 at the Manchester Arena.

9Other big names on the line up include Little MixCredit: Getty Images – WireImage

Justin Beiber is also set to perform at the event, which sold out in just six minutesCredit: Splash News

Ariana fans as young as eight were amongst the tragic victims, who will be honoured at tomorrow’s concert in a moving visual tribute with their names expected to be read out on stage.

The event is expected to raise £2 million from tickets, which sold out in just six minutes, and more could be added to that from merchandising and other sales on the night.

Organisers hope the event will also prompt millions of TV viewers to continue donating online to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.

9Eight-year-old Saffie Roussos was the youngest of the 22 who died in the suicide bombing at the US pop star’s concertCredit: Splash News

And the Treasury has agreed to waive the 20% VAT on that income – expected to boost the total profits by several hundred thousand pounds more which will be donated to support the victims and their families.

But the interest has generated profiteering from some quarters, with an estimated 10,000 opportunists and ticket touts attempting to snatch up tickets intended to be given away free to fans of Ariana who were at her concert when the attack took place.

9Organisers hope the event will raise £2million, with the Treasury agreeing to waive the 20% VAT on that incomeCredit: Alamy9Ariana Grande’s team were key in organising the concert, and the pop star said she wants to honour everybody affected by the tragedyCredit: Getty Images

Singer Ariana, whose team have been instrumental in organising the event, told fans: “Music is meant to heal us, to bring us together, to make us happy.

“So that is what it will continue to do for us. We will continue to honor the ones we lost, their loved ones, my fans and all affected by this tragedy.

“They will be on my mind and in my heart every day and I will think of them with everything I do for the rest of my life.”