The Wanted's Tom Parker has passed away after battling a brain tumour. He was 33. Tom, who grew up in Bolton, announced in October 2020 that he had been diagnosed with an inoperable grade 4 tumour. He had suffered seizures in advance of the diagnosis.
In November 2021 he said that the tumour was "stable". His final Instagram post was just two days ago, a picture of the band with the words "dream team". Tom held a charity concert in September last year at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of Stand Up to Cancer. Entitled 'Inside My Head', it featured Becky Hill, McFly, Liam Payne and a first performance with The Wanted since 2014.
He married Kelsey Hardwick in 2018. They have a daughter, born in 2019, and a son, born in 2020. Kelsey wrote 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. Our hearts are broken.
"Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence. We are truly thankful for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom’s light continues to shine for his beautiful children. Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you."
Recently, Tom had become so weak he needed to use a wheelchair. He previously told OK! Magazine: "I knew something wasn’t right, but I never expected it to be this. You never think this will happen to you." As a member of The Wanted, Tom achieved 10 UK top 10 singles and released three UK top 10 albums. The band also achieved widespread international success and has sold more than 10 million records.
