Tom’s wife: ‘OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN’
The Wanted’s Tom Parker sadly died of cancer last week
Singer Tom Parker passed away last week, at the tragically young age of 33. He had been battling a brain tumour for the past year and a half. The singer died peacefully with his family and bandmates at his side, as his favourite song, Oasis’ Live Forever, played. Friends and loved ones rushed to share their devastation, calling Tom – who had two young children, Aurelia, two, and Bodhi, one, with his wife Kelsey – “a truly special guy” with “a positive energy that lit up a room”.
Announcing the sad news on Instagram last Wednesday, Kelsey shared a black-and-white shot of her husband of four years , writing, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side.”
She continued, “Our hearts are broken. Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence. We are truly thankful for the outpouring of love and support, and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom’s light continues to shine for his beautiful children. Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you.” She later called Tom her “soulmate until the end”, adding, “Our love was so pure and honest.”
Friends were quick to pay tribute, with Michelle Keegan – who was once engaged to Tom’s bandmate Max George – writing, “Absolutely heartbroken for Kelsey, his beautiful babies, family and everyone who knew Tom. What a truly special guy… Gone far too soon.” Ed Sheeran called the singer “a lovely guy”, adding, “So sad to hear of Tom’s passing. Thoughts and love are with Kelsey, his children and his family. Very sad day.” Presenter Rylan Clark tweeted, “I’ve just seen the news about Tom and that’s absolutely gutting. He was such a good’un. So sad to hear. Sending my love to Kelsey and the kids.”
Love Island’s Iain Stirling called Tom “a genuinely lovely man. Kind, humble and very funny – the sort of person who radiated a positive energy”, while One Direction’s Liam Payne said, “I’m heartbroken to hear about Tom. He was so full of life and humour, and the memories I have of him will stay with me forever.”
Tom’s bandmates Max, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay Mcguiness and Nathan Sykes released a group statement on the band’s website, writing, “The whole Wanted family are devastated by the tragic and premature loss of our bandmate Tom Parker, who passed away peacefully at lunchtime today surrounded by his family and his band mates. Tom was an amazing husband to Kelsey, and father to Aurelia and Bodhi. He was our brother, words can’t express the loss and sadness we feel. Always and forever in our hearts.” Siva posted a tribute on Instagram, writing, “I am so grateful that I had a chance to witness your true courage. It has been a pleasure of my life, Tommy Boy.”
Tom was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in October 2020, and was initially given just 12 months to live. He defied the odds, singing at the Stand Up To Cancer show at the Albert Hall last September, and in November, he tweeted that his condition was “stable” . Last month, he joined The Wanted for a few dates on their Greatest Hits tour – with Kelsey and children cheering him on. Tom shared a group shot of the band the day before he died, calling them the “Dream Team”. RIP. ■
‘He was my soulmate until the end’