Tom Parker, member of the British band The Wanted, has died following a two-year battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer. He was 33.
Parker’s wife, Kelsey Hardwick, and his The Wanted bandmates confirmed the singer’s death on Instagram on March 30.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Max, Jay, Siva, Nathan, and the whole The 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 bandmates,” read a statement on the band’s page. “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.”
On her Instagram, Parker’s wife shared a message along with a photo of her husband and their two kids. ”Our hearts are broken,” wrote Hardwick. “Tom was the center of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence.”
Born Aug. 4, 1988, Parker grew up in Manchester, England, and studied Geography at university before dropping out to pursue music. He first toured with Take That II, a tribute band for the pop group Take That, before joining The Wanted in 2009.
The Wanted rose to fame with their 2011 hit “Glad You Came” and released three albums together, including 2010 self-titled debut, follow up Battleground in 2011, and Word of Mouth in 2013.
When the band took a hiatus in 2014, Parker appeared on Celebrity Masterchef and reached the semi-finals and he also played Danny Zuko in a touring production of Grease. In 2021, BBC aired a documentary on the singer called Tom Parker: Inside My Head.
The group recently announced a reunion tour and greatest hits album. Parker appeared onstage with the band in a wheelchair at a recent show in the U.K. and said that he had written a book “about finding hope in whatever situation you’re dealt,” which will publish in July.
In October 2020, Parker revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain tumor, which he found out after suffering two seizures. By January 2021, Parker shared that the tumor had reduced in size. “I had an MRI scan on Tuesday and my results today were a significant reduction to the tumor and I am responding well to treatment, ” said Parker at the time. He also thanked his wife, who he called his “rock” and fans for their support.
“Your love, light, and positivity have inspired me,” wrote Parker. “Every message has not been unnoticed. They have given me so much strength.”
Photo: Universal Music Group
More Features
-
Photo by Robert Kern/Getty Images -
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 1958: Pianist Bob Gaudio, drummer Tom Austin, tenor sax Larry Qualiano, singer Dianne Costello and guitarist Billy Dalton of the rock and roll band "The Royal Teens" pose for a portrait in September or October of 1958 at the Brooklyn Paramount in New York, New York. (Photo by PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Left to right: Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page, of British heavy rock group Led Zeppelin, performing at Earl's Court, London, May 1975. The band were initially booked to play three nights at the venue, from 23rd to 25th May, but due to public demand, two more concerts were later added, for 17th and 18th May. Total ticket sales were 85,000. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
American country comedienne Minnie Pearl (1912 – 1996) performing, circa 1970. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) -
NEW YORK – JUNE 11: Rock and roll band Steppenwolf (L-R Jerry Edmonton, John Kay and Michael Monarch) perform at Steve Paul's The Scene nightclub on June 11, 1968 in New York, New York. (Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
British musicians Mick Jagger (left) and Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones performs on stage during the band's 'Steel Wheels' tour, late 1989. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
CIRCA 1977: (L-R) Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks and John McVie of the rock group 'Fleetwood Mac' pose for a portrait in circa 1977. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
ATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — Episode 19 — Pictured: Singer Ric Ocasek of musical guest The Cars performs on May 12, 1984 — Photo by: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank