Max George bravely spoke at the funeral of his The Wanted bandmate Tom Parker's funeral as it was held today. Hundreds of fans gathered as the singer's friends and family headed to celebrate his life.
Tom, from Bolton, who shot to fame as one-fifth of the pop boyband, tragically died aged just 33 last month surrounded by his family. His passing came 17 months after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2020. He revealed the news of his diagnosis to fans in October 2020 when his wife, Kelsey, was pregnant with their second child.
His widow Kelsey, who he married in 2018 and with who he shared two children, Aurelia, two, and one-year-old son Bodhi, announced the news of his death on March 30 with a statement posted on Instagram alongside a grey and white picture of Tom, telling fans: "Our hearts are broken."
READ MORE: Tom Parker's wife Kelsey and The Wanted bandmates lead mourners at singer's funeral
Earlier this month Kelsey had invited fans to line the streets ahead of the service at the St Francis of Assisi church, in Petts Woods, south-east London. They were able to pay their respects outside and could watch the service outside on screens relaying the ceremony. She also created a GoFundMe page following her husband’s death to 'keep Tom’s memory alive forever' via donations to charitable causes instead of sending flowers and cards.
Max and his The Wanted bandmates Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, and Jay McGuinness were pictured arriving for the service before acting as pallbearers, with Champagne Supernova by Oasis being played as they carried the coffin into the church after a horse-drawn procession.
He told attendees during a speech: "I could actually hear him saying, ‘It’s about time’, as he carried us for the last 12 years. Tom was always a brother, he made such an impact from the start. His love for music and striving for success outmatched all of us."
The 33-year-old also joked that Tom had been the only member of The Wanted to have had a "punch-up" with all his bandmates, prompting laughter from attendees. He added: "Everything he did he did with best intentions, even if it was a fight, he got away with it because it was Tom."
Max finished his moving speech: "I could say so much about Tom. One thing I will always remember is his laugh. He loves laughing at people and we experienced that every day. He has left us far too early and we will miss him so much. The people outside, the people all around the world, is a credit to him. Rest easy mate."
Siva, meanwhile, hailed Parker's "big Boltonian heart" before adding: "He was never afraid to stand up for what was right, no matter the risk."
A pre-recorded message from Kelsey was played at his funeral service. She shared anecdotes about how the pair first met at a nightclub before he shot to fame with The Wanted, adding: "From that moment I told everyone I wanted to marry Tom Parker."
The congregation erupted into laughter as she said: "Tom told me he was going to be famous and wouldn’t have time for a girlfriend, but he wouldn’t leave me alone. I will treasure every memory because life with you was never dull.
"You were always coming up with songs, new game shows and we all know how much you loved an invention – I bet you were gutted you never made it on Dragons’ Den. Marrying you was the best day of my life… soulmates, that’s what we are."
Tom's funeral service featured a number of emotional renditions including Amazing Grace and You Raise Me Up. The service began with a violinist-accompanied version of You Raise Me Up sung by Ollie Marland, who wore sunglasses
Tom and Ollie released music as part of dance duo Lost + Found. Handbags And Gladrags, also accompanied by a violinist, was sung by RuthAnne Cunningham. She also sang a rendition of Amazing Grace.
Former One Direction star Liam Payne was given a round of applause by fans who stood in silence waiting for the private service to be live-streamed on to three large screens. Fans of the boy band huddled around the screens in silence, many clutching tissues and crying.
Kelsey had earlier led a cortege featuring three black horses through Petts Wood. Wearing dark black sunglasses and a glittery blazer, the mum-of-two clung on to two family members as she walked down the street to St Francis of Assisi church.
Flowers spelling out the word "Daddy" adorned the side of the carriage while a flowered sign that spelled the word "Tom" in red roses was attached to the front. Family and close friends of the star gathered in The Sovereign Of The Seas pub opposite the funeral parlour before the procession began.
Outside St Francis of Assisi church, flowers spelled out the words "Glad You Came", the title of The Wanted’s 2011 hit that went to number one in multiple countries.
