Kelsey Parker has opened up about starting her 'year of firsts' as she attended her first wedding without her husband Tom. The Wanted singer tragically died, aged 33, in March 17 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
The Bolton-born star shared the news of his diagnosis to fans in October 2020 when Kelsey was pregnant with their second child, Bodhi, who is now one. The couple, who married in 2018, also shared two-year-old daughter, Aurelia. Kelsey announced the news of Tom's death before he was laid to rest in a celebration of life ceremony last month.
Tom was carried into the church by his The Wanted bandmates - Max George, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, and Jay McGuinness - with Max and Siva also standing up in the church to pay tribute to their 'brother'.
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Earlier this month Kelsey left Loose Women viewers with 'no words' as she appeared on the show in her first television interview since Tom's death, and spoke about being 'lucky' to have found love with the boyband star. Now, the mum-of-two has given fans a new update as she attended her best friend's wedding in Ireland.
"The year of firsts," she began her post alongside a photo of her looking gorgeous in a pink satin dress as she raised a glass of fizz. "My first wedding without my love. I knew this was going to be the toughest weekend and I knew my head would be all over the place. This weekend for me was so bittersweet, I was watching my best friend marry the love of her life yet 7 weeks ago I lost mine."
She added: "The thing about death is that even though I have suffered the most traumatic experience the world keeps turning. The sun keeps shining and I know Tom was watching over me especially when the sun was beaming on us all day."
The photo showed Kelsey sat on seats at the outdoor ceremony with a sign on one chair which read: "For Tom." She continued: "I really enjoyed myself this weekend and it was so nice to actually let my hair down and be Kelsey. I raised a glass to my boy and I know he’s up there having shots.
"There were moments when my heart would ache, moments when the tears wouldnt stop rolling down my face and moments where I laughed until my belly hurt. In this crazy world - Life is for living."
Groom Ollie Marland, who was in a musical duo with Tom called Lost + Found, was the first to comment, writing: " Love you darling, he was there with us." And bride, singer RuthAnne, added: " Love you beyond! He deffo was there with us and he’s beyond proud of you as we all are! You are Inspirational!!!!"
During her appearance on Loose Women on May 6, Kelsey told the panel that she "feels strong" just a month on from her husband's passing. She added: "I'm just getting through each day. I have the kids. I have to wake up each day, I have to get on with it, just trying to be as strong as possible in a really difficult situation and time for us all."
She also spoke about her 13-year love story with Tom, with Kelsey saying she was 'lucky' to have found the 'love of her life'. "The fact I met Tom at 19 in a really tough industry.... We were soulmates," she said. "We loved each other so much, he was my best friend… I found the love of my life at the age of 19 and I’ve spent all these years with him. How lucky am I to say I found love? I was so in love with him."
