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Celebrity

13th Apr 2022

The Wanted fans invited to line the streets for Tom Parker’s funeral

Sarah McKenna Barry

The funeral takes place next week.

Kelsey Parker has invited fans of The Wanted to line the streets ahead of her husband’s funeral next Wednesday.

Tom Parker passed away last month after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

His funeral, which has been dubbed a “private celebration of life”, will take place on Wednesday 20 April in Queensway, Petts Wood in Kent.

On Instagram, Kelsey acknowledged that fans would love to be there and invited them to line the route.

She wrote: “We know many of you would like to pay your respects as well, so would love for you to join us in Petts Wood from 10am.

“It would be beautiful to have everyone line the route as we head to our private service.

“You are then welcome to join us outside the church for the duration where the service will be relayed on screens.”

As well as his wife Kelsey, Tom is survived by his two children Bodhi and Aurelia Rose.

Tom revealed that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020. He had been given 18 months to live.

He subsequently underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which he described as the “darkest days” of his life.

“Going up there and lying under those radiation machines were awful. It’s awful. It’s unnerving,” he said at the time.

“And chemo was brutal. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

Earlier this year, Tom began documenting his experience with cancer for a book.

Announcing it, he said: “I’m Tom Parker, a lot of you know me as one fifth of The Wanted, but I am also a father, a husband, and a son, that’s battling brain cancer.

“My book, coming this July, 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.

“It will show you how having faith in hope and daring to dream means you can carry on, against all odds.”