The song ‘really spoke to his struggle,’ a source said
The Wanted musician Tom Parker tragically passed away yesterday following a short battle with cancer – and he is said to have chosen an Oasis song to listen to as he died, surrounded by his loved ones.
The star was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2020, while his wife Kelsey was pregnant with their second child, Bodhi.
On Wednesday, the 33-year-old singer lost his battle with glioblastoma with his family and bandmates by his side.
Last night, Kelsey, 32, shared the news on Instagram “with the heaviest of hearts”.
She said: “Our hearts are broken, Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence.”
The widow said those who loved him will make sure her husband’s light continues to shine for his children.
“He fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you,” she added.
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Parker chose to play the Oasis song “Live Forever” as he passed away. The star believed the lyrics “really spoke to his struggle,” a source close to him told The Sun.
“You might have thought Tom would opt for something by The Wanted but Oasis’ Live Forever sums him up perfectly – he was a rockstar and that’s how he wants to be remembered.
“It’s a real anthem to strength and defiance and some of the lyrics really speak to his struggle.
“Like the track says, Tom really will live forever in his children, his fans and his music.”
In September 2021, 11 months on from the diagnosis, Parker helped a special charity show at the Royal Albert Hall to raise awareness about brain tumours for Stand Up to Cancer.
He even went on a greatest hits tour with his bandmates shortly after the tumour was confirmed as ‘stable’ in November. However a close family friend said Tom’s condition deteriorated rapidly once the tour came to an end earlier this year.
“Tom loved touring – he was an absolute rockstar and determined to join the boys on stage. He was enjoying playing two songs a night and was doing well performing but it really took it out of him,” the same source told The Sun.
“We all noticed how quickly Tom deteriorated during the tour but he had no regrets – he really wanted to do it,” they added.
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A statement from the band said: ‘The whole 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 band mates.
“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.”
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