Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake's Patriotic Shout-Out

By Drew Tewksbury

07/05/2007 at 09:00 AM EDT

Justin Timberlake may not have been home to celebrate Independence Day, but he still brought some American spirit to his July 4 concert in London.

The "SexyBack" singer, 26, took a break from busting a move with his 1920's-styled dancers to join his band and raise a champagne glass to his country.

"Because it's American Independence Day, I propose a toast," he said to the cheering 18,000-strong crowd. "This one goes out to our troops fighting for our freedom."

But one thing made his stay across the pond a little less than perfect. "Man, someone is going to have to make a call about this weather," he joked about London's recent bout of torrential rain.

Nevertheless, he was thrilled to kick off his five-show series in the city. "When I was a little boy, I never thought that I'd ever play one show in London, let alone five!" he told the crowd at the close of the show. "You've made a country boy's dream come true."