Steve Brookstein has been branded "disrespectful" following tweets sent in the aftermath of the Manchester concert bombing , which appeared to float a conspiracy theory about the blast being connected to a "terrible day" of campaigning for Prime Minister Theresa May.

The former X Factor winner was among hundreds of celebrities who took to Twitter in disbelief and shock after an explosion at the end of Ariana Grande's Manchester Arena gig on Monday night left 22 dead and 59 injured.

Police have confirmed children are among the fatalities.

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While other celebrities have sent their prayers and love to the victims and those affected, popstar Steve went down a different route and tweeted: "Theresa May has a terrible day. Awful press and guess what an explosion in Manchester. Can’t make this s**t up."

That tweet has since been deleted.

Another tweet, still visible, says: "I'm implying that there are dark forces. Power people who don't give a crap about Joe Public and would do this for their agenda."

And a third tweet, in response to someone saying the blast could have been an electrical fault, said: "I ain't buying it. I reckon there are people ready to set up false flag operation as soon as things go wrong politically."

He added: "Sorry if I'm cynical but so much is orchestrated I just don't rule anything out."

People scramble over seats to escape Manchester Arena

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Police confirm lone bomber carried out Manchester Arena attack

When another user said they were "disappointed" in Steve's tweets, he replied: "Do your homework fella. False flags are not imaginary. These things happen. I'm not saying 100% but the coincidence is concerning."

Another tweet about what may have happened in Manchester said: "I have no idea but it's just a bit weird that straight after the Tories have had an awful day politically. That's all."

He then added: "There are loads of false flags for political reasons. To suggest it doesn't mean it happened or didn't. It's just a possibility."

Steve also sent another tweet which said: "Think it's more likely to be the military industrial complex. Huge corporations with huge interest in this country don't want Corbyn."

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Ariana Grande's tour bus arrives back at Manchester hotel

Many social media followers took offence at his comments and their timing.

One wrote: "What a deranged sick person suggesting the PM was behind this because of bad polls @theresa_may you need to see this."

Another said: "Guessing you've been told to delete that awful tweet by your PR. Conspiracy theories whilst children lay dead is crass."

A third added: "People have died. Show some respect. It's not the Tories fault. It's terrorism. Don't let the terrorists win. They want to divide us."

Steve has since said he deleted his original tweet because it had been "misinterpreted" and insisted he wasn't trying to tie a political party or Theresa May to the incident.

One Twitter user tweeted at him: "Steve. Are you pi**ed? You can't possibly blame her for what's going on in Manchester. You really should retract your recent tweets mate."

Steve replied: "No, not suggesting it was the Tory Party. I have no idea what caused it. Nobody knows. Possibly terror attack. Terrible news."

He followed up by clarifying in later tweets: "I don't know who or why did it."

"I suggested that there are dark forces that could possibly do it. Not DID do it. Nobody knows who did it," said another post.

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Steve also said: "Suggesting a possibility due to historical events doesn't mean I concluded who did it."

He agreed with followers that the bombing was "awful news, terrible", adding: "It's awful news. All attacks on innocent men, women and children is horrific. It's sickening."

Steve also criticised the American journalist who was widely slammed for joking about the tragedy on Twitter.

Shaken witnesses speak after explosion at Manchester Arena

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(Image: Twitter)

CBS reporter David Leavitt had tweeted : "MULTIPLE CONFIRMED FATALITIES at Manchester Arena. The lats time I listened to Ariana Grande I almost died too."

Steve replied: "Kids probably dead. Bad joke and I don't normally object to bad taste. Not cool. Mr American Man."

Leavitt has since apologised.

Prime Minister Theresa May released a statement saying: "We are working to establish the full details of what is being treated by police as an appalling terrorist attack."All our thoughts are with the victims and the families of those who have been affected."

Mirror Celebs has reached out to Steve's reps.