Kelsey Parker shared a beautiful message to her 'soulmate' as she said goodbye to husband Tom Parker at his funeral. The celebration of life took place on Wednesday (April 20) weeks after The Wanted singer died, aged 33.
Tom's death came 17 months after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2020. He revealed 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.
Ahead of the service, which was held privately for friends and family, Kelsey, who wore a hear clip that featured Tom's name, led a cortege featuring three black horses through Petts Wood, south-east London. Wearing dark black sunglasses and a glittery blazer, the mum-of-two clung on to two family members as she walked down the street to St Francis of Assisi church.
Flowers spelling out the word "Daddy" adorned the side of the carriage while a flowered sign that spelled the word "Tom" in red roses was attached to the front. Outside St Francis of Assisi church, flowers spelled out the words "Glad You Came", the title of The Wanted’s 2011 hit that went to number one in multiple countries, as fans lined the streets to pay their respects and also watch the service on screens outside at Kelsey's request.
During the emotional service, Kelsey told those that had gathered that Tom had 'taught their children how to be brave' and that she and Tom 'lived a 1000 lives' in their 13 years together, adding that the Bolton-born star would still be alive if 'love alone could have saved him.'
"You’ve shown our children how to be brave, courageous and strong," she shared. "Even in our darkest days, we tried to stay positive. Positive Parker’s forever. [The children] will always know how much you loved them. And let’s be honest, they now have the best guardian angel looking over them through life and so have I. We will carry on your legacy forever.
"I just want to thank Noreen and Nigel (Tom’s parents) for raising the man I fell in love with and bringing him into the world because he is my world. Soulmates ... that is what we are. You were my best friend but more." She added: "Our souls are endless. I can still feel you with me now."
Kelsey also shared anecdotes about how the pair first met at a nightclub before he shot to fame with The Wanted bandmates Max George, Nathan Sykes, Jay McGuinness, and Siva Kaneswaran, adding: "From that moment I told everyone I wanted to marry Tom Parker."
The congregation erupted into laughter as she said: "Tom told me he was going to be famous and wouldn’t have time for a girlfriend, but he wouldn’t leave me alone. I will treasure every memory because life with you was never dull. You were always coming up with songs, new game shows and we all know how much you loved an invention – I bet you were gutted you never made it on Dragons’ Den."
In her final words, Kelsey told her husband: "Remember I love you one more than you can ever say. You will always be my angel Tommy boy in the sky. If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever. I love you, babe, from your babe."
After her eulogy, Kelsey kissed her husband's coffin goodbye and laid a single white flower on top. She then whispered 'I love you' before Tom was carried out of church by his close friends to The Wanted’s hit song Gold Forever.
Friends, family and fans lined the street clapping and cheering as the body of the 33-year-old was driven away with bandmates Max and Jay, who acted as pallbearers at the funeral, were seen wiping away tears.
Champagne Supernova by Oasis played as the coffin of Tom Parker was carried into St Francis of Assisi church in Petts Wood for the funeral service. Music featured heavily throughout the service with a number of emotional renditions including Amazing Grace and You Raise Me Up.
The service began with a violinist-accompanied version of You Raise Me Up sung by Ollie Marland, who wore sunglasses. Tom and Ollie released music as part of dance duo Lost + Found. Handbags And Gladrags, also accompanied by a violinist, was sung by RuthAnne Cunningham. She also sang a rendition of Amazing Grace.
