Tom Parker, the British singer who rose to fame as a member of the boy band The Wanted, has died almost two years after he was first diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma. Parker shared the news in 2020, saying at the time that he knew ‘something wasn’t right’ but ‘never expected it to be this.’
The singer’s wife Kelsey announced his death on Instagram, saying that Parker died earlier that day with his family by his side. Along with Parker’s photo, she penned, “Our hearts are broken, Tom was the center of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence.” Kelsey continues, “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.”
She concluded, “Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you. Parker and his wife, who married in 2018, are parents to daughter Aurelia Rose, and son Bodhi Thomas. In Kelsey’s post, she shared a black-and-white portrait of her husband, as well as a sweet family photo of four.
The Wanted also announced on their social media, sharing that they were able to be by Parker’s side as he died. “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,” it read.
The Wanted caption continues, “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.” Parker joined The Wanted, comprised of Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, and Nathan Sykes, in 2009. Though the group split in 2014, their reunion was an emotional one, and Parker called it ‘beautifully special.’
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