The Wanted star Tom Parker dies after brain tumor diagnosis
London, UK - Tom Parker, a member of the British boy band The Wanted, has died after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.
The singer, originally from the northern English city of Bolton, died on Wednesday surrounded by his family and bandmates, a statement released by the music group said. He was 33 years old.
He disclosed in October 2020 that he had been diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma and had begun radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Despite his diagnosis, he had performed on stage with his bandmates in recent weeks as part of their much-delayed reunion tour. The group, best known for hits Glad You Came, Chasing The Sun, and All Time Low, recently released a greatest hits album, and have sold more than 12 million records worldwide, with 10 Top Ten singles in the UK.
A statement on The Wanted’s Instagram page said: "Max, Jay, Siva, Nathan and 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 bandmates.
"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."
His widow, Kelsey Parker, formerly Hardwick, said the hearts of his family were broken by his death.
She wrote on Instagram: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side. Our hearts are broken, Tom was the center 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."
He has been married to Hardwick since 2018 and they welcomed their son, Bodhi, in October last year. Their daughter, Aurelia Rose, was born in 2019. During an appearance on This Morning, Parker joked that they were hoping for another child.
Tributes poured in on social media on Wednesday from British pop stars such as Ed Sheeran and Liam Payne.
The group is best known for their crossover hit Glad You Came
In January 2021, Parker announced in an Instagram post that there had been a "significant reduction" in the size of the tumor and that he was "responding well to treatment."
Parker appeared alongside his bandmates at a Stand Up To Cancer event in December, marking the first time they had performed together since 2014.
He used his platform to campaign for better treatments for those suffering brain traumas.
The singer told an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumors in December: "I’m staggered they can find a cure for Covid within a year but, for decades on end, they haven’t found better treatments let alone a cure for brain tumors. Why is it taking so long for clinical trials to come through?"
His wife Kelsey often posted using the hashtag "#positiveParkers" and asked her followers to send prayers and healing vibes for their family.
"Positive mindset for the win," she wrote in an Instagram post in November 2021. "Forget the big houses, forget the big fancy car, the latest designer bag or trainers. To hear my husband - my babies' daddy - has a stable scan and we have this bastard tumour under control is all we could ever wish for."
Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO/MediaPunch