John Legend has returned to the stage for the first time since announcing the loss of his third baby, performing live at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards.

The 41-year-old dedicated the emotional performance of Never Break to his wife, the model and presenter Chrissy Teigen.

The couple revealed the loss of their baby boy, who they had called Jack, earlier this month on Instagram with a series of black and white photos of them in hospital.

Teigen, 34, told fans they were both "shocked" and in "deep pain" after suffering the miscarriage.

Dressed all in white at a grand piano in the vast Dolby Theater in LA, Legend prefaced his performance by saying: "This is for Chrissy."

The ballad, from his 2020 album Bigger Love, includes the lyrics: "I'm not worried about us and I've never been. We know how the story ends. We will never break."

The awards, which were hosted by Kelly Clarkson, were originally due to be held in April but had been delayed due to coronavirus.

Introducing Legend's song, Clarkson said: "He and Chrissy both have this warm way of inviting us into their world. The highs and the lows.

"My heart - obviously all of our hearts - go out to you both in this very difficult time. And I'm thankful that you continue to share your light and your talent with all of us."

Following the performance she called Legend's song "very special" and said the moment was possibly her "favourite of the night".