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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Lottie Gibbons

The Wanted's Tom Parker dies aged 33 as wife Kelsey pays tribute

The Wanted's Tom Parker has died at the age of 33-years-old, his wife has said.

The singer, from Bolton, was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in 2020. He had been receiving treatment at a specialist clinic in Spain.

Paying tribute to Tom, his wife Kelsey cited his 'infectious smile and energetic presence'. She said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side.

READ MORE: Touching moment Tom Parker joins The Wanted on stage in Liverpool

"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."

On March 17, Tom was supported by Kelsey and their children as he took to the stage in Liverpool, despite being too weak to stand. Kelsey and the couple’s daughter and son, Aurelia, two, and Bodhi, one, were in the audience as Tom joined his bandmates for the final date on their UK tour.

She shared a sweet clip on social media of daughter Aurelia in the crowd as fans chanted “We love Tom!”. Tom had joined The Wanted on several of their UK tour dates, with bandmate Max George branding him a “hero” ahead of their gig at the M&S Bank Arena.

Taking to Instagram to share a black and white photo of him and Tom, Max wrote: “It’s been an epic few weeks…One last show my boy…You are a true hero mate. Can’t wait for the next tour with you…Liverpool… Can you hear us???!”

The Wanted – comprising of members Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes and Tom – were formed in 2009, and have sold more than two million singles in the UK. The band split in 2014 but announced that they would reunite with a greatest hits album titled ‘Most Wanted: The Greatest Hits’ in September last year.

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