'I didn't find it funny': Ariana Grande responds to fiance's Manchester bombing joke

Ariana Grande has responded to criticism of her fiance's joke about the Manchester Arena attack, admitting she "didn't find it funny".

The singer was reacting to a fan who questioned her decision to stay with Pete Davidson after reports of the joke emerged.

The 24-year-old comedian, best known for his sketches on Saturday Night Live, is alleged to have said that Grande must realise how famous she is because "Britney Spears didn't have a terror attack at her concert".

Twenty-two people were killed by Salman Abedi after he detonated an explosive device in the foyer of Manchester Arena shortly after Grande's concert on 22 May last year.

Davidson is understood to have made the joke during a stand-up routine several months after the attack.

He was not in a relationship with Grande at the time.

The fan tweeted: "I respect Ariana and I want her to be happy and everything, but she was just broken after the Manchester bombing, so I don't know why she is still with Pete, like yeah he made that joke a while ago, but like it's not funny, it's just rude. This is my opinion."

Replying to the tweet, Grande wrote: "this has been v tough & conflicting on my heart. he uses comedy to help ppl feel better ab how f-ed up things in this world are. we all deal w trauma differently. I of course didn't find it funny. it was months ago & his intention wasn't/ is never malicious but it was unfortunate".

She later reassured the fan: "i hear and respect you all always".

Grande recently said that she has been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following the bombing and that she did not think she would ever be able to talk about the attack without crying.

While Davidson has not publicly responded to the backlash, his representative previously said: "Pete is a comedian. No subject is off limits & that includes jokes about his father & 9/11."

Davidson's father, who was a New York City firefighter, died in service during the September 11 attacks.

Grande and Davison recently confirmed their engagement after just a few weeks of dating.

One of the new songs on her forthcoming album, Sweetener, is written about him and entitled Pete.

He already has two tattoos in tribute to Grande - her initials on his right thumb and the bunny ears logo associated with her on his upper neck.