When Tom Parker was told he had an inoperable brain tumour, he was about to become a dad for the second time.
His wife Kelsey was pregnant with a baby boy, a little brother for their daughter Aurelia.
Then 32, Tom, who passed away on Wednesday, said he used the pregnancy as a focus to help him deal with the diagnosis and through the early treatment for glioblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer.
And The Wanted star was determined to fight the horrible disease for his two children, which he bravely did for 17 months.
But his tragic death aged just 33 means the couple's final wish for more children and a family of six will never come true.
Speaking to OK! magazine while revealing his illness, Kelsey said: "We are planning for more children – I’ve always wanted a big family and I think we’ll end up with four.
"There’s only a 16-month age gap between our two children and it’s definitely been a lot, even without taking into account our circumstances, so I won’t be having children that close in age again – doing that once was enough.
During his illness Tom and Kelsey spoke about how they would break the news to their Aurelia and son, Bodhi.
She told the magazine: "I want them to know that life isn’t always rosy, but we get through it. I know we will say, 'Dad has a brain tumour but he is fighting it'."
Tom got himself checked out after having a seizure during a family holiday to Norwich.
Following weeks of unexplained seizures, Tom finally got the tests he needed with doctors breaking the news he had a tumour known as a grade four glioblastoma.
Life expectancy on average for such an illness ranges from three months to 18 months after diagnosis.
Tom and Kelsey made the joint decision not to be told the prognosis of his illness.
Kelsey said: "I said that for Tom’s state of mind, and who he is as a person, that would not be good for him. He would literally sit here and count down the days and not live his life.
Tom added: "I need everyone’s love and positivity. I am going to fight this.
"We are already exploring alternative treatments and looking at clinical trials both here and abroad, and our friends have been doing research.
"There are so many stories of people who were given a bad prognosis and are still here five,10, even 15 years later. We’re going to fight this all the way."
Tom, originally from Bolton, died on Wednesday surrounded by his family and bandmates after opening up about his tumour in October 2020. He had stage four glioblastoma and had begun radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Despite his diagnosis, in recent weeks he had performed on stage with his bandmates as part of their much-delayed reunion tour.
A statement on The Wanted’s Instagram page said: “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.
“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.”
His widow, Kelsey Parker, formerly Hardwick, said the hearts of his family were broken by his death.
She 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.”
