The Wanted star Max George has paid tribute to his late bandmate and “best bud” Tom Parker with a new tattoo.
The singer has had Tom’s birth date tattooed across his collarbone as a way of celebrating the life of his pal who died in March earlier this year.
Tom was just 33 when he tragically died on March 30 following a battle with terminal brain cancer.
He passed away two years after being diagnosed with the stage four glioblastoma.
Max, also 33, was extremely close to Tom and has been open on social media about struggling with the loss of his “brother, boy and band mate”.
He shared pictures and videos of his new tattoo, honouring his close mate on Instagram.
Posing proudly with his new ink, Max captioned the pictures “04.08.1988 Happy Birthday brother… You’re always with me” - including some heart emojis.
The touching tribute has gone down well with adoring fans, with hundreds racing to complement Max’s beautiful gesture.
One said: “Aww that is absolutely beautiful sending so much love to you Max he will be so proud of you and he will always be with you️.
“He will forever live on in all of our hearts thinking off you today love you.”
Another added: “I absolutely love this, he’d be so bloody proud of you for everything that you’re doing and have done and I know he’s always with you!
“A bond that could never be broken, the most special, sending you so much love.”
A third said: “Oh Max, I love this. Close to your heart but your angel on your shoulder. Happy birthday Tommy.”
The post attracted more than 20,000 likes, with the comment section full of love.
Max spoke of his heartache back in April in a moving post on Instagram.
“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,” he said.
“From the minute I met you, I knew this was gonna be a special chapter in my life. I was right.
“We did everything together, some amazing things, some outrageous things. I'm 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.
“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.”
He spoke of the “huge hole now left” in his life.
Max added: “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.”
