Tom Parker's The Wanted bandmates have paid a moving tribute following the devastating news that the singer has died at the age of 33 after battling an inoperable brain tumour. The boyband star from Bolton passed away today (Wednesday March 30) surrounded by his family and bandmates after being diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma in October 2020.
Fellow The Wanted stars Max George, Jay McGuiness, Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes shared an emotional statement on social media.
"Max, Jay, Siva, Nathan and the whole Wanted family are devastated by the tragic and premature loss of our bandmate Tom Parker, who passed away peacefully at lunchtime today surrounded by his family and his band mates," they wrote.
"Tom was an amazing husband to Kelsey, and father to Aurelia and Bodhi. He was our brother, words can’t express the loss and sadness we feel. Always and forever in our hearts. Tom Parker 1988-2022."
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The band scored two number one singles and a string of top 10 hits and albums after forming in 2009.
Their biggest hit Glad You Came in 2011 was also a massive hit in America.
The band took an indefinite hiatus in 2014 and they delighted fans by announcing in September that they were reforming.
They performed together for the first time in seven years at London's Royal Albert Hall for Stand Up To Cancer and The National Brain Appeal followed by the release of a greatest hits collection and a UK arena tour.
The heartbreaking news comes just two weeks after the dad of two joined the reunited boyband on stage at the AO Arena for the final song of the show in Manchester
Tom's diagnosis came shortly before he and his wife Kelsey, who married in July 2018, welcomed their second child, a son named Bodhi in October 2020.
They also have a daughter Aurelia who they welcomed in July 2019.
"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.
"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."
Fans have been paying tribute on Twitter including @ciaren_ryan who wrote: "The fact that he got up on stage in his condition to be with his best pals and put on a performance for his fans shows so much courage and passion for what he did, heartbreaking story but a truly strong man."
And Siobhan Mandy said: "I loved The Wanted growing up from Glad You Came to Chasing The Sun.
"My love and thoughts go to his wife, children and to Max, Siva, Jay and Nathan his brothers."
