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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rebecca Cook

Tom Parker was 'petrified' at The Wanted's Stand Up To Cancer concert amid tumour battle

The Wanted’s Tom Parker was left “petrified” ahead of his first concert with the boyband in seven years to raise money and awareness for Stand Up To Cancer.

The boyband star has died at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2020.

Tom opened up about his reunion with his fellow The Wanted band members in the documentary Tom Parker: Inside My Head, which followed his cancer journey and proved to be his last television appearance.

The Channel 4 documentary followed the singer, wife Kelsey and their two children, after Tom was diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumour.

Tom underwent gruelling treatment for his brain cancer, including cycles of chemotherapy.

Tom Parker opened up about his reunion with his band The Wanted (Channel 4)

In one clip during the documentary, Tom was seen reuniting with his band mates from The Wanted - Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes.

Following his cancer diagnosis, Tom decided to organise a star-studded charity concert where the boys performed, which took place in September.

Tom's aim was to raise awareness about brain cancer with the Royal Albert Hall concert, as well as the documentary.

But during the Channel 4 documentary, Tom opened up about his nerves ahead of their first on-stage performance as a group in seven years.

The Wanted's Tom Parker was seen discussing their comeback gig with his band mates (Channel 4)

Tom told Jay and the others he was “petrified” in the lead-up to the big event during a Zoom call filmed for the episode, after which Jay reassured him all would be fine.

Jay confessed: “It is probably about six or seven years since we were last on stage together,” and Nathan replied: “Christ, that long?”

Tom said: “I'm genuinely petrified,” but Jay then told him: “I was petrified all the time anyway, it will be fine.”

Tom then confessed all on his close bond with the boys after their band days, saying things had not changed between them.

“What I love about the boys, even when we've not seen each other for years it's like nothing's ever changed,” he said. “I just love that.”

Channel 4's documentary Tom Parker: Inside My Head saw Tom discussing his treatment (Channel 4)

Kelsey posted confirmation of Tom’s death on Instagram today, writing: “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."

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