Many of those now confirmed dead were only meant to be at the stadium for a minute or two.

They are loving parents who had been lingering patiently in the foyer of the arena, waiting to take their children home.

Jane Tweedle-Taylor, 51, was not even there for her own child, but went to Manchester Arena with a friend to pick up her friend's daughter.

The BBC on Wednesday named the school receptionist from the coastal town of Blackpool as yet another victim.

South Shore Academy School principal Jane Bailey described Miss Tweddle-Taylor as a "bubbly, kind, welcoming, funny, generous" colleague.

Monday's suicide attack has claimed the lives of 22 people, but that toll could rise with another 20 people in hospital in a critical condition.

Police are confident they have identified all of the deceased victims, and made contact with their families, but will not be releasing names until forensic post-mortems are complete.

Instead the tragic stories have been slowly filtering out into the world, with families, schools and workplaces confirming victims of the massacre.

The youngest victim was just eight. Many others were young teenagers.

Nell Jones

Another desperate family search ended in heartbreak, with the news 14-year-old Nell Jones from Cheshire had died in the attack

Her form tutor David Wheeler from Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School said she was a "popular girl, always smiling", the BBC reported.

"Her tutor group have been together since the transition from primary school," he said. "It feels like they have lost a sister not a classmate."

Alison Howe and Lisa Lees

Alison Howe, 45, and Lisa Lees, 47 were reportedly waiting in the foyer of the arena to pick up their daughters when the bomb went off.

Ms Howe's stepson, Jordan Howe, confirmed her death on Facebook, writing "They took a caring beautiful mum and step mother away from us all she was amazing to us all."

Alison Howe and her friend Lisa Lees, from Royton, are still missing after last night's attack at Manchester Arena. Anyone with information should call Jordan Howe on 07449 429104.Posted by Oldham Chronicle (Official) on Tuesday, 23 May 2017

Kelly Brewster

Kelly Brewster, from Sheffield, died after she reportedly shielded her niece from the blast at Manchester Arena.

Her partner, Ian John Winslow, paid tribute to Ms Brewster on Facebook. She is survived by their daughter Pheobe.

"Not sure how this works but it isn't good news. Kelly Brewster wasn't one of the unidentified hospital patients. She has sadly passed away in the terror attack yesterday," he wrote.

"Kelly really was the happiest she has ever been and we had so many things planned together. My daughter Phoebe will be absolutely devastated like we all are. Love you loads"

Martyn Hett

Public relations manager Martyn Hett, from Stockport, was at Monday night's concert with a friend when they became separated.

The 29-year-old's boyfriend Russell Hayward had been tweeting about his "soulmate" who was missing after the bombing, but later confirmed "the iconic and beautiful Martyn" did not survive.

"He left this world exactly how he lived, [the] centre of attention," he wrote.

Olivia Campbell

As Charlotte Campbell waited desperately to hear back from her 15-year-old daughter Olivia Campbell, who had not been answering her phone, the world waited with her.

But on Tuesday night she confirmed had received the worst possible news.

"RIP my darling precious gorgeous girl Olivia Campbell taken far far to soon go sing with the angels and keep smiling mummy loves you so much," Ms Campbell wrote on Facebook.

Saffie Roussos

Eight-year-old Saffie Roussos from the small English town of Leyland, Lancashire, is the youngest victim of the bombing at Monday's Ariana Grande concert.

Georgina Callander

Georgina Callander with US pop star Ariana Grande. Photo: Instagram/georgina.bethany

Georgina Callander, 18, was the first named victim of the tragedy, and was a devoted fan of Ariana Grande, having met her in June 2015.

On Instagram, Georgina posted a photo of their meeting with the caption: "She was so cute and lovely. I hugged her so tight and she said she loved my bow. I can't get over this, I never will."

Marcin and Angelika Klis

Polish couple Marcin and Angelika Klis had gone to Manchester Arena to collect their daughters after the concert.

In the hours after the bombing, their daughter Alex tried to desperately find them, writing on Facebook "Anyone who is in any safe place or hospital in Manchester, if anyone comes across my parents please please let me know as they've been missing ever since the attack."

Poland's Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski told a Polish radio station, "The parents came after the concert to collect their daughters and unfortunately we have information that they are dead. The children are safe."

John Atkinson

John Atkinson, a competitive dancer and pop music fan from Radcliffe, was reportedly leaving the venue when he was fatally injured by the blast.

Local adult dance troupe Freak Dance Radcliffe paid tribute to the 26-year-old, remembering him as a "true friend".