Stars we lost in 2022: Tom Parker from The Wanted, 33 years old

Tom Parker passed away on 30th March 2022 after being told he had stage four glioblastoma in September 2020.

Parker had been on an NHS waiting list for an MRI scan as he had been having bouts of unexplained fits. Until he suffered a severe seizure on a family holiday in 2020, according to Daily Mail.

Photo: Instagram @Tomparkerofficial

He was rushed into the hospital alone, without his wife and daughter. The Daily Mail reports that they weren't able to be with him due to COVID restrictions in place. Alone, he was given the terrible diagnosis that his brain tumour was terminal.

His diagnosis was Glioblastoma: actually the most common form of a brain tumour in the UK, according to Daily Mail. Doctors were unable to perform surgery to extract the tumour; but Parker went through a gruelling bout of chemotherapy to control the spread of the cancer.

After Parker was diagnosed, he spent the year raising awareness about glioblastoma - especially on Instagram. he was always open and honest about his diagnosis and treatment. So much so, that the non-profit organisation Brain Tumour Research UK released a statement commending the spotlight he had shone on the disease.

Photo: Instagram @Tomparkerofficial

Tom Parker had said he was shocked by the lack of treatments and funding for patients with the cancer. According to the Irish Times, he told an All-Party Parliamentary Group in December: "I’m staggered they can find a cure for Covid within a year but, for decades on end, they haven’t found better treatments let alone a cure for brain tumours."

He continued, "Why is it taking so long for clinical trials to come through?"

His bandmates had released a photo earlier in the month which showed the star in a wheelchair, unable to stand, behind the scenes of the UK tour. Fans were supportive of Tom performing, although Tom had to sit through the show.

Photo: Instagram @Tomparkerofficial

His wife Kelsey Hardwick, with whom he shares two children wrote on Instagram: "Our hearts are broken."

"Tom was the centre of our world. We can't imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence."

Her post continued: "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."

The singer, husband and father leaves behind their children Aurelia, two, and Bodhi, one.

Photo: Instagram @Tomparkerofficial

Tom Parker joined his bandmates in 2009 when they formed the group 'The Wanted'. They have become globally successful and their nominations include 14 World Music Awards, 2 Brits, an American Music Award, and a MTV Video Music Award.

They had two UK number one singles - 'Glad You Came' and 'All Time Low'. They also had eight other top 10 hits including 'Chasing The Sun', and 'Lightning'.

A statement from the band 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,” the statement continued.

Painfully, Tom Parker spoke about a book he wrote just a week before he passed, as reported by the Evening Standard. The book was entitled, 'Hope' and is said to be about his experiences and about living.

He told fans: “My book is not about dying: It’s a book about living. It’s a book about finding hope in whatever situation you’re dealt, and living your best life no matter what.”