The Wanted's Tom Parker has sadly passed away, aged only 33. His wife, Kelsey, made the announcement on Instagram. Tom, who shares two children with Kelsey, first spoke about his terminal brain tumour diagnosis in October 2020.
'It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side,' Kelsey said in an Instagram post. '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.'
Tom's The Wanted bandmates said in a statement: '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 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.'
How to watch Tom Parker's documentary, Inside My Head
Tom bravely documented his journey after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, glioblastoma, in a documentary for Channel 4 - titled Tom Parker: Inside My Head - and he also put on a fundraiser show at the Royal Albert Hall in September last year to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer. It saw the reunion of The Wanted, the boyband he joined in 2009, who went on to sell 2 million singles in the UK, with hits like All Time Low and Glad You Came. The band had also just finished a reunion tour, playing arenas across the country, with Tom joining his bandmates for the encore.
Tom will be remembered for the fantastic charity work he did, and has been praised by brain tumour charities for how he spread awareness of the condition. 'Tom was a fantastic spokesperson, and he chose to bring attention to the lack of funding,' National Brain Appeal boss Theresa Dauncey told BBC Breakfast. She continued, saying that the singer 'got people together, made a documentary, had a concert [and] brought so many people's attention to this sort of terrible lack of awareness.' Tom's documentary, Inside My Head, is still available to watch on All4.