Tom Parker, the member of British-Irish boy band The Wanted, passed away on Wednesday aged 33. The singer from northwest England announced the diagnosis in October 2020 and, after undergoing treatment, joined the rest of the band on a reunion tour in March.
Parker’s wife, Kelsey, wrote on Instagram that he died “peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side.” She revealed the news alongside a photo of him with their two children. “Our hearts are broken, Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence,” she wrote.
Tom Parker joined the Wanted in 2009 after a massive audition process; he’d previously auditioned for The X-Factor. The group released its debut single, “All Time Low,” in 2010, which hit No. 1 in the U.K.
Tom Parker will be missed by The Wanted Band Dearly
But his actress wife Kelsey Hardwick 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.”
The remaining four bandmates said: “He was our brother, words can’t express the loss and sadness we feel. Always and forever in our hearts.”
Tom Parker and Hardwick have two small children, including one born after his diagnosis.
“I’m going to be here,” he told OK! magazine at the time. “I’m going to fight this.”
Formed in 2009, The Wanted had number-one singles in Britain with “All Time Low” and “Glad You Came”, the latter also reaching number three in the US Billboard chart.
