Tom Parker: The Wanted Singer Dies Aged 33

Tom Parker, a member of the British boy band The Wanted, died at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

In October 2020, the singer revealed to his fans that he had an inoperable tumour. “Our hearts are broken,” his wife Kelsey Hardwick wrote on Instagram. The couple had two young children together.
“Tom was the centre of our world; we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence,” she wrote.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped him throughout his illness; he fought to the very end. I’ll always be proud of you.” The couple had a daughter, Aurelia Rose, and a son, Bodhi, after marrying in 2018. Parker’s death “devastated” the band, who said they were with him and his family at his bedside when he died.

Parker, Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes, and Jay McGuiness formed The Wanted in 2009. Glad You Came and All Time Low were their two UK number one singles, and they also had eight other top ten hits, including Chasing The Sun, Heart Vacancy, and Lightning.

Last September, Parker organised a Stand Up To Cancer concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and The Wanted reunited. It also raised money for the National Brain Appeal.

In November, the band released a greatest hits album. Parker told fans shortly before the album’s release that his brain tumour was “stable” and “under control.”

“Such a cruel, cruel world… RIP Tom.. you will be missed but never forgotten,” Union J singer JJ Hamblett said. Parker’s openness about his illness and fundraising efforts were praised by non-profit Brain Tumour Research UK in a statement.

“Since his diagnosis, Tom has spoken openly and honestly about the impact of the disease, and in doing so, has helped to raise awareness of the devastation caused by brain tumours,” said Hugh Adams of the charity.

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