Tom Parker, the singer of The Wanted boy band, died after a long battle with brain cancer.
Kelsey (32), his wife, confirmed the sad news. She is also leaving behind their children Aurelia (22) and Bodhi (11).
Kelsey stated today that Tom died peacefully today, with his entire family beside him.
“Our hearts are broken. Tom was at the center of our universe. We couldn’t have imagined life without his smiley face and infectious energy.
“We are deeply grateful for the support shown and request that everyone unite in order to make Tom’s love shine brighter for his precious children.”
She thanked everyone for their support during Tom’s illness, and added that Tom fought it until the last.
Kelsey (Kelsey’s Instagram photo pictured) confirmed the tragic news.
Tom Parker, his then-fiancee Kelsey Hardwick arrived at Jurassic Park in London live in the Royal Albert Hall. This was November 2016.
Original file photo of Tom Parker (The Wanted) performing at the Olympic Torch Relay Concert in Birmingham, 30/06/12 The Wanted have announced that Tom Parker, the star of The Wanted has died after being diagnosed inoperable with a brain tumour.
Dated 12/09/10, File photo of Siva Kaneswaran (back row, from left to right), Tom Parker, Jay McGuiness and Max George. (front row row, right-left) Nathan Sykes, The Wanted backstage at The Help For Heroes Concert at Twickenham stadium, south-west London
This photo, which was taken from Tom Parker’s Instagram, depicts the singer in a hospital gown after undergoing an operation to treat the disease.
Parker posted this last picture on his Instagram account just before his passing. It shows him standing onstage with his bandmates.
Just one week ago, the singer of 33 years died. He had revealed that he was writing a memoir about his fight with brain cancer.
Tom shared the good news on Instagram Tuesday with his fans. He also announced that the book would come out in July.
According to him, Hope was not going to be about “dying”, but rather about “living” and “finding hope,” regardless of your situation.
Tom was first diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma. He made his public diagnosis in October 2020. Last year, he revealed that the glioblastoma had stabilized after an MRI scan.
A draft cover for his memoir was revealed by him. He also shared an animation of an animated book flipping through the pages that featured photographs of Tom’s family.
The caption he added to the post read: “Hi Tom Parker. Many of you know me best as one of The Wanted. But I am also a father. And a husband. And a son who is fighting brain cancer.
“My book will be published in July. It is not about death. This book is about living your best life, no matter the circumstances.
Tom was a member of Take That II, and no one would have predicted that he would become one of Britain’s largest boy bands.
Tom had only 12 months left to live after he was diagnosed in 2020 with stage 4 of glioblastoma at 31.
He was still making public appearances in October 2021 after his diagnosis.
His band’s success made Tom instantly recognisable throughout his adult years.
The Wanted recorded their debut album in October 2010. It reached number four on the UK Albums Chart. They also had three UK top 20 singles.
The band’s later singles, which were released in 2012, helped them achieve success in Canada and the United States. Glad You Came was the most popular American boyband entry at the time.
Heartbreaking: Tom Parker has died aged 33 following a battle with brain cancer
Parker can be seen right beside Max George, his bandmate from a couple of weeks back in this Parker Instagram photo.
Tom Parker, The Wanted, is seen at Global Radio Studios in London, UK, 12 October 2021. This was one year after his public announcement of his diagnosis with brain cancer.
Parker was recently forced to use a chair and remain in his seat while he played with the band.
File photo dated 18/06/13 of (left to right) Tom Parker, Nathan Sykes, Max George, Siva Kaneswaran and Jay McGuiness of The Wanted during a press Q&A at the premiere of their reality E! TV Series ‘Wanted Life,’ at the Charlotte Street Hotel.
Two years later, in 2014, after the band declared a hiatus. Tom then turned his attention towards television. In 2015, he reached the semi finals on Celebrity Masterchef and in 2016 he came in third place in The Jump’s skiing program.
A year later, the singer returned to the stage as Danny Zuko the male lead in Grease’s UK Tour in 2017. This led to him postponing his marriage to Kelsey Hardwick.
After getting engaged in 2016, the couple had planned to tie their knot in 2017.
Tom stated that he didn’t wish to travel for two weeks, marry, and then spend one week on honeymoon before returning to tour.
“I’ll let Kelsey set everything up and will just give her my card when necessary.”
Despite his success in music, Tom did not find it easy when he first entered the industry.
The Metro reported that Tom received no votes from all judges in 2011, before reaching the chorus of Flying Without Wings (Westlife), which left him “shattered”.
After his failure to reach the X Factor, Tom took on the role of Mark Owen and formed Take That II. He sang to fifty-year-old men who were smoking outside of workmen’s clubs.
File photo of Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes (left-to-right), Max George, Tom Parker, Siva Kaneswaran of The Wanted, during T4’s Stars of 2011 at Earls Court in London
The Wanted singer Tom Parker has been confirmed dead at 33. After receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the singer was diagnosed in October 2020. Parker can be seen left, with his bandmates from The Wanted.
He auditioned for The Wanted and his audition was more successful despite Tom describing him as a ‘chavvy’ audition.
Metro heard Tom say that he wore a tracksuit and a hooded, making me look a little chavvy. However, he played Handbags & Gladrags on the guitar. Jane our manager saw something unique in me.
Tom and Kelsey are parents to two children, Aurelia (born in 2019) and Bodhi (born after Tom was diagnosed with cancer in 2020).
According to the singer, “The children are what get me out of bed in the morning. They bring the positivity out.”
Kelsey and Tom were open about how their cancer treatments had affected them and required him to be away for extended periods.
Kelsey posted on Instagram that Tom and she had traveled to Spain for treatment, which “meant the longest distance from our children.”
She said, “You don’t realize how cancer affects your whole family.”
His diagnosis was confirmed. Tom spent three months lying in bed. He said that all he could remember was to “Lie here and Die.”
He stated, “It’s so difficult to think about future because I really don’t know what they hold.”
Tom accepted the diagnosis and began to plan for future performances. He held a charity concert in September 2021 at The Royal Albert Hall, where proceeds went towards Stand Up To Cancer or The National Brain Appeal.
Tom commented, “It was shocking to learn that only 1 percent of cancer research dollars goes toward the treatment and cure of glioblastoma.
“That’s why i’m supporting The National Brain Appeal. I want my voice and platform used to help make an impact and to assist in any small way.
Tom Parker: Inside my Head for Stand up to Cancer was released shortly after the concert. It shows his family and how he navigated his illness while preparing for his concert.
Tom was determined to go on the tour with his bandmates, celebrating their biggest hits. For some shows, he performed on stage while sitting on a chair that looked frail.
Tom enjoyed his music and was not affected by the illness.
In a Stand Up To Cancer Video, Tom stated that he was just a child from Bolton. Then, he joined a band, which took him around the globe. It was incredible.
“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in my life.”