The Wanted's Max George has said the death of his friend Tom Parker has left a "huge hole in his life" in a touching tribute.
Tom, 33, tragically passed away on Wednesday after a battle with cancer following a brain tumour diagnois in October 2020.
His untimely death his sent shockwaves across his family, friends, and those closest to him including his band mate Max George.
Sharing his grief on Instagram he penned a poignant message addressed directly to his late friend.
Max wrote: "Tom, my brother, my boy, my band mate, my best bud.. You lit up so many lives all over the world but I can only speak on behalf of mine. From the minute I met you, I knew this was gonna be a special chapter in my life. I was right."
He later touches upon their time together both on stage and how he was with him when he met his future wife Kelsey.
He added:"We did everything together, some amazing things, some outrageous things. Im so proud of what we achieved as band mates and as brothers. I’m also proud that I was there the night you met Kels. I remember saying to you, ‘you like her don’t you?’.. to which you replied, ‘bro, like you wouldn’t believe’. You two really are like peas and carrots.
During the tribute he praised his pal for his courage and compare him to a fierce 'lion' for his fight and bravery he had shown through his cancer treatement.
He continued:"Thank you for choosing me as your friend. It was an honour from day one. I’m so grateful I was with you until the very end. The courage and dignity I have witnessed over the last few months surpassed the lion I already knew you were.
"The huge hole now left in my life will forever be there, but I know your spirit will live on through your two beautiful babies, your wonderful wife, our music, your fans and in my heart.
"I’m heartbroken beyond words right now and I cannot even begin to imagine what the future holds without you, but whatever I do going forward, even on my darkest days, I can always smile and say, ‘I shared the stage with Tom Parker’.
"I am going to miss you so much. I love you mate. Always. George."
The singer had recently joined his bandmates on stage for their reunion tour one last time, sitting on a throne as he joined Max Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, and Jay McGuiness on tour.
After the star's sad death days ago, tributes have been pouring in for the star from family, friends and fans.
An official statement previously told fans that the singer died “peacefully” surrounded by his family.
After the star's sad death days ago, tributes have been pouring in for the star from family, friends and fans.
His wife Kelsey shared on Instagram: "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 Parker said in an Instagram post on Wednesday (March 30). "Our hearts are broken, Tom was the centre of our world and we can't imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence."
