Mariah Carey pledges to cherish the memory of devoted fan

Pop superstar Mariah Carey has paid tribute to fan Martyn Hett who was among those killed in the Manchester terror attack, saying: “We will cherish your memory forever.”

The 29-year-old PR manager from Stockport was days away from setting off on a trip to the US when he was killed in the suicide bombing at Manchester Arena.

His devastated family described him as “the icon of all our lives”, who “just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time”.

Mr Hett was a big fan of American singer Carey, posting photographs of her on Facebook and of himself wearing a Mariah T-shirt.

In March he joked: “I have a huge lump on my head because my Mariah Carey canvas fell off the wall and hit me. This is honestly the gayest injury I’ve ever had.”

Carey herself posted a photo of Mr Hett wearing a fan T-shirt to her Instagram account, saying: “Devastated to learn that one of the victims in Manchester was part of the #Lambily. RIP Martyn Hett.

“We will cherish your memory forever. His family and all the families affected are in my thoughts and prayers. MC”

In a statement issued by Greater Manchester Police, Mr Hett’s family said: “Words cannot describe the generosity and kindness our families have received over the last few days.

“We are overwhelmed with the amount of lives he has touched and the kind words that are being said about him.

“Martyn was the icon of all our lives. His infectious laugh and his niche sense of humour will stay with us forever.

“He lived for every moment of every day and fitted an entire lifetime of memories into his 29 years.”

Martyn Hett, 29, from Stockport, was days away from a trip to the US.