Devastated fans of The Wanted's Tom Parker gathered at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle for a touching vigil and balloon release as they remembered the "lovely" man.
The well-loved star died at the age of just 33, after battling a terminal brain tumour, on March 30. In 2020, Tom revealed news of his diagnosis but vowed to fight it all the way, alongside his wife Kelsey, who broke the devastating news of his passing last week.
Following his tragic death, his North East fans gathered outside the arena on Sunday evening to light candles, lay flowers, and share their fond memories of Tom. Heartfelt messages and photos were also placed outside the arena before a moving balloon release was held.
Read more: The Wanted star Tom Parker's wife Kelsey starts GoFundMe page in his honour
Amy Robson, 23, who helped to organise the Newcastle event, said: "It was a really good turnout. We had about 40 people here and we shared memories of Tom and placed flowers down and released balloons. I met a lot of my friends through The Wanted and we all gathered to pay tribute to him, it was very emotional."
The event was one of the many memorial events at venues across the UK to be held. And one of those attending was Katie Flint who said: "I have been a fan for years probably since 2011 and I met my best friends through The Wanted. I was in Liverpool when they did their final tour so that was really special.
"It was very emotional but it was really a celebration of his life. I met Tom when he performed in Greece a couple of years ago so I met him quite a few times and he just absolutely surpassed everything I imagined. He was so funny and he was just genuinely lovely. He was the kindest person."
Louise Stubbs also attended the vigil with her daughter Ellen, 22, who is responsible for her love for The Wanted. She explained: "About 10 or 11 years ago my daughter used to play the music in her bedroom and I used to say to her: 'Who is this? I love this!" So I actually became a fan through my daughter.
"We have seen them absolutely everywhere together we've seen them in Glasgow and we went down London and it was a really nice mother and daughter experience. I loved Max as well as Tom but Ellen always loved Tom and we have met him a few times when he was in Greece.
"When he got quite ill, I said to Ellen you're going to have to prepare yourself as he's really poorly. It just felt right that we should be here to pay tribute to him."
Last month, midway through The Wanted's concert in Newcastle, Tom's bandmates halted proceedings to pay tribute to him as cheers and applause sounded out around the Utilita Arena. Tom had to miss the first few dates of their tour due to cancer treatment.
