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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Joel Leaver

The Wanted fans pay tribute to Tom Parker with vigils held across the country

A number of vigils have been held across the country today as fans of Tom Parker mourn the loss of the The Wanted member, who tragically passed away earlier this week.

The singer had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2020, though it was announced on Wednesday (March 30) that he had passed away.

The tragic news has prompted an outpouring of tributes to the performer in recent days, with there having now been a number of vigils held in his honour by fans.

They have been gathering in various locations across the country, including in London, Liverpool and Nottingham - with messages and balloons shared in his memory.

Vigils were held for Tom Parker, including in Newcastle (North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)

The vigil held in the capital was described as a "perfect tribute" by one attendee, with footage showing fans letting go off balloons in the shape of his initials T and P.

The mourners are said to have sang the Wanted's song Gold Forever at the vigil in Leicester Square, with them cheering and embracing, according to the Daily Mail.

Fans have taken to social media to document vigils in other parts of the country this evening, including in Liverpool - where they gathered at the M&S Bank Arena.

Tom Parker passed away earlier this week (GETTY)

The vigil included live music and later saw the crowd released balloons over the Mersey, each with messages of remembrance for Tom, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

The mass of balloons is - similar to in other locations - included hearts with song lyrics on and some in the shape of the late singer's initials as part of the tribute.

The gathering in Liverpool would have been particularly poignant for fans as it was at the M&S Bank Arena that the Wanted's final performance with Tom was held last month.

There are understood to have also been vigils in Newcastle, Manchester and Cardiff, among other locations, with fans having gathered in Nottingham this evening too.

Photos of social media showed that fans placed flowers, photos, candles and balloons in a designated area in the city - in conjunction with the vigils elsewhere.

The rememberance events come after Tom's wife Kelsey Parker, 32, - who is the mother of his two young children - launched a fundraising campaign in his honour.

One fan had written lyrics to the song Gold Forever on their balloon for the vigil (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

It was announced shortly after an episode of Pointless Celebrities - which was filmed last year - saw Tom and bandmate Max George, 33, take part in aid of cancer charities.

Viewers were left crying when the pair - who made it to the final round of the celebrity special - won the £2,500 jackpot for the Brain Tumour Charity and Brain Research UK.

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