The Wanted star Tom Parker dead at 33

The singer, who found fame in hit boy band The Wanted, has tragically died at the age of 33, leaving behind his wife and two young children.

The Wanted star Tom Parker has sadly died after a brave battle with brain cancer, his heartbroken wife has announced.

The 33-year-old tragically leaves behind children Aurelia, two, and Bodhi, one, as well as his wife Kelsey, 32.

Kelsey told The Sun: “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.”

Tom and Kelsey with their two young children.

The singer found fame in The Wanted. Picture: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images)

Kelsey shared two moving photographs on Instagram as she announced the news this evening.

The first is a black and white image of Tom posing in a white T-shirt.

The second shows the musician standing with his wife and children in the back garden as the sun sets. Kelsey holds baby Bodhi while Tom beams at Aurelia.

The star was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour in 2020 and given just 18 months to live.

The British boy band rallied around Tom (centre) during his cancer battle. Picture: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

But Tom beat the odds after undergoing several gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiotherapy sessions.

Just last week, Tom announced he had written a heartbreaking book about his battle.

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.”

Tom revealed in October 2020 that he had an inoperable stage 4 glioblastoma – which doctors described as “the worst case scenario”.

The star had been undergoing treatment in Spain that meant he was forced to pull out of the start of the boyband’s UK tour.

But he did make an appearance at the later dates where he performed while sitting on a throne.

Before the end of each show, his bandmates Max George, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran and Jay McGuinness welcomed him to the stage.

Nathan, 28, told the crowd: “Give it up for Tom Parker” as the crowd erupted in rapturous applause.

Tom appeared on stage on a throne during the tour.

Tragedy as brave Tom dies

Tom was later pictured enjoying a beer backstage under a blanket.

The star received treatment at a $7,000-a-week cancer centre in Spain’s Costa del Sol.

The singer was hopeful the revolutionary treatment would prolong his life.

But his health appeared to be declining after he was recently pictured using a wheelchair as the treatment left him too weak to stand.

Bandmate Max George shared an image of Tom looking cool in a beanie hat flashing a peace sign on Instagram while he looked after his friend.

He played Justin Timberlake’s SexyBack over the story, which he captioned: “I mean … come on” followed by a heart eye emoji.

Opening up about his illness last October, hopeful Tom expressed a goal to be cancer-free by March.

He tragically leaves behind two young children.

But he also bravely spoke about his fear of death in heartbreaking UK documentary, Tom Parker: Inside My Head.

Breaking down in tears on camera, he said: “Scared is an understatement. I was petrified. I couldn’t stop thinking about death, is the honest truth.”

Later, Tom was shown lying on his bed and crying into his hands.

He added: “It’s so hard to think about the future, because I genuinely don’t know what it holds any more.”

Tom, from Manchester, learnt to play the guitar aged 16 and auditioned unsuccessfully for The X Factor UK.

In 2009 he joined The Wanted, with the band going on to score 10 UK Top 10 singles and three Top 10 albums.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.