Tom Parker: The Wanted star’s funeral to take place as fans gather to pay tribute to singer who died last month after brain tumour battle | UK News

The funeral of The Wanted star Tom Parker will take place on Wednesday, with fans gathering outside the church to pay their respects to the singer.

Bolton-born Parker, 33, died last month surrounded by his family and bandmates, 17 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

While close friends and family are expected to attend the private service in Queensway, Petts Wood, in southeast London, Parker’s widow, Kelsey Parker, invited fans to gather from 10am to watch the service outside on big screens.

Parker’s widow thanks fans for donations

Fans are also invited to line the route as they head to the church.

On social media, supporters have shared fan images of Parker, alongside messages of solidarity to his family.

His widow created a fundraising page to “keep Tom’s memory alive forever” via donations to charitable causes, instead of sending flowers and cards.

Within the first 12 hours, the page exceeded its £5,000 target and has received more than £54,000 donations so far.

Earlier this month, Mrs Parker thanked all those who have donated to the fund for their “heartwarming messages” which she said have “really shone a light on just what a legend my Tom is” and highlighted his achievements in the final 18 months of his life.

Bandmates say they are ‘heartbroken beyond words’

Since his death, fans from all over the world and notable figures in the music industry have shared tributes.

The Wanted bandmate, Max George, said: “I am heartbroken beyond words right know and I cannot even begin to imagine what the future holds without you”.

Tom Parker and Kelsey married in 2018 and had a daughter, Aurelia Rose, in 2019 and a son, Bodhi, in October last year.

The singer disclosed that he had been diagnosed in October 2020 with stage four glioblastoma and had begun radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Despite his diagnosis, in the weeks before his death he had performed on stage with his bandmates as part of their much-delayed reunion tour.

Parker shared constant updates on his condition and treatment with fans on social media. The couple sometimes used the hashtag #positiveparkers to show how they were facing his illness together.

The Wanted, formed in 2009 with Parker, George, Jay McGuinness, Siva Kaneswaran and Nathan Sykes and the band released their debut album the following year.