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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Escher Walcott & Anita McSorley

Irish wedding praised for leaving seat for Tom Parker beside grieving wife in ‘bittersweet’ ceremony

The wife of the late Tom Parker has shared her gratitude for a beautiful gesture from her friends, who left a space for Tom at their wedding in Ireland.

The 32-year-old shared her gratefulness and heartbreak at the touching tribute, as she posted a photo showing herself sat outdoors at her pals' nuptials. Mum-of-two Kelsey was next to a reserved chair with a wooden sign that read: "For Tom."

The Wanted star died aged 33 on March 30, two years after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, leaving behind wife Kelsey and their two young children.

READ MORE: Tom Parker said a priest 'predicted he'd end up jailed or working as a footballer'

Kelsey sported a pink bridesmaid’s gown in the snap and raised a glass of bubbly for the cameras, OK reports.

She wrote in the caption: "The year of firsts. My first wedding without my love.

“I knew this was going to be the toughest weekend and I knew my head would be all over the place.

“This weekend for me was so bittersweet, I was watching my best friend marry the love of her life yet 7 weeks ago I lost mine," she heartbreakingly added.

Despite her recent heartache, Kelsey managed to stay positive, as she continued: “The thing about death is that even though I have suffered the most traumatic experience the world keeps turning.

“The sun keeps shining and I know Tom was watching over me especially when the sun was beaming on us all day.”

Kelsey was captured in several photos posted by fellow bridesmaids, and heartwarmingly hit the dance floor with her friends during the reception..

“I really enjoyed myself this weekend and it was so nice to actually let my hair down and be Kelsey," she wrote on Instagram. "I raised a glass to my boy and I know he’s up there having shots.

“There were moments when my heart would ache, moments when the tears wouldn’t stop rolling down my face and moments where I laughed until my belly hurt.

"In this crazy world - Life is for living.”

Kelsey had told fans earlier that Tom was due to be an usher at the wedding, and that it was her first trip away since his death.

She said: "Hey guys, so I've just got to Ireland today. I've come to Ireland for my best friend's wedding Ruth Ann and Ollie's wedding.

"Yep it's gonna be a really weird weekend for me, obviously it's gonna be bittersweet."

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