Tom Parker's funeral: Hundreds of fans line the streets as The Wanted star is laid to rest

21 Apr 2022

Daily Mail

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Tom Parkers funeral Hundreds of fans line the streets as The Wanted star is laid to rest

The Wanted star's bandmates Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes were pictured carrying the star's black coffin.

'If love alone could have saved you, you would have lived forever': Tom Parker's wife Kelsey breaks down as she says a final farewell to her 'soulmate' at funeral - after star's The Wanted bandmates carried coffin following his death from cancer aged 33

The pop singer's widow Kelsey shared memories in a pre-recorded speech played during the service
The Wanted star's bandmates Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes were pictured carrying the coffin into the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church
Kelsey had invited mourners to gather outside the Pett's Green church for the service, where screens broadcasted the service
Flowers spelling out the word 'Daddy' adorned the side of the carriage while a flowered sign that spelled the word 'Tom' in red roses was attached to the front
Tom died on March 30 aged 33 surrounded by his loved ones and bandmates, following a two-year battle with stage 4 glioblastoma

By Joanna Crawley For Mailonline

Published: 10:30 BST, 20 April 2022 | Updated: 15:58 BST, 20 April 2022

Tom Parker's widow Kelsey broke down in tears after paying tribute to her 'soulmate' at the popstar's funeral in south-east London on Wednesday, saying: 'If love alone could have saved you, you would have lived forever'.

Before the service, The Wanted star's bandmates Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes were pictured carrying the star's black coffin adorned with lilies into the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church in Petts Wood.

Kelsey, whom he married in 2018, broke down as she left the service and kissed Tom's coffin, after earlier leading the funeral procession of a horse and carriage through the streets of the couple's local community.

Saying goodbye: Tom Parker 's widow Kelsey broke down in tears after paying tribute to her 'soulmate' at the popstar's funeral in south-east London on Wednesday

The Wanted bandmember died on March 30 aged 33 surrounded by his loved ones and bandmates, following a two-year battle with stage 4 glioblastoma.

A pre-recorded message from Kelsey was played at his funeral service within which she shared anecdotes about how the pair first met at a nightclub before he shot to fame with The Wanted, adding: 'From that moment I told everyone I wanted to marry Tom Parker.'

The congregation erupted into laughter as she said: 'Tom told me he was going to be famous and wouldn't have time for a girlfriend, but he wouldn't leave me alone.

'I will treasure every memory because life with you was never dull. You were always coming up with songs, new game shows and we all know how much you loved an invention - I bet you were gutted you never made it on Dragons' Den.

Tears: Kelsey, whom he married in 2018, broke down as she left the service, after earlier leading the funeral procession of a horse and carriage through the streets of the couple's local community

Loss: Tom's The Wanted bandmates Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes were pictured carrying the star's black coffin into the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church in Petts Wood for his funeral on Wednesday

Crowds: Mourners lined the streets as Tom's coffin was carried along the route ahead of the service

'Marrying you was the best day of my life... soulmates, that's what we are,' she said, ending the speech by telling Tom: 'If love alone could have saved you, you would have lived forever'

Max George also paid tribute to late bandmate and the impact he had on The Wanted in an emotional speech at the service.

After serving as a pallbearer at the funeral, he told attendees at the service: 'I could actually hear him saying, 'It's about time', as he carried us for the last 12 years.

'Tom was always a brother, he made such an impact from the start. His love for music and striving for success outmatched all of us.'

Final kiss goodbye: Kelsey was seen embracing the coffin before it was driven away in the hearse. She placed a single white rose on top before kissing the coffin

Much loved: Hundreds of mourners remained outside the church as Tom's coffin was carried to the hearse

Forever love: Tom's widow Kelsey sobbed as she bade a final farewell to her soulmate as fans watched on

Tribute: Kelsey wore a gold hair slide with Tom's name as a subtle tribute to her late husband

Widow: Kelsey, wearing a sparkly tuxedo jacket over a black jumpsuit, was supported by family members and was pictured clutching a single white rose as she watched Tom's coffin being carried out of the church

Sharing: A pre-recorded message from Kelsey was played at his funeral service within which she shared anecdotes about how the pair first met and their wedding day, which she called the happiest day of her life

Final farewell: 'Marrying you was the best day of my life... soulmates, that's what we are,' Kelsey said during the service, ending the speech by telling Tom: 'If love alone could have saved you, you would have lived forever'

Happier times: The Wanted bandmember died on Wednesday March 30 aged 33 surrounded by his loved ones and bandmates, following a two-year battle with stage 4 glioblastoma

George also joked that Parker had been the only member of The Wanted to have had a 'punch-up' with all his bandmates, prompting laughter from attendees.

He added: 'Everything he did he did with best intentions, even if it was a fight, he got away with it because it was Tom.

'I could say so much about Tom. One thing I will always remember is his laugh. He loves laughing at people and we experienced that every day.

'He has left us far too early and we will miss him so much. The people outside, the people all around the world, is a credit to him. Rest easy mate.'

Hugely popular: Children joined the mourners as the procession passed, wearing The Wanted t-shirts

Final journey: Tom's bandmates carried his coffin into the church ahead of the service

Loved and missed: Attendees followed the coffin as the service got underway

Tribute: The family departed the service on a London bus, lit up with a beautiful message in honour of Tom

Wave: Tom's widow Kelsey waved at Tom's fans as she departed the emotional service

Never forgotten: The bus lit up in Tom's honour as it departed the service

Devastated: Tom's bandmate Jay McGuinness was in years after the service. He had earlier acted as a pallbearer

Pallbearers: Tom's The Wanted bandmates were pictured carrying the black coffin into church after the funeral procession

Close: Jay was in tears as he joined his bandmates and other pallbearers to carry the coffin into the church, whole Oasis track Champagne Supernova played

Bandmate: Max George was a pallbearer before delivering an emotional speech to the mourners during the service

Pallbearers: Jay walked side by side with Nathan and held the order of service after the band delivered speeches during the service

As the coffin was carried into the church the Oasis song Champagne Supernova was played while the band's anthem Live Forever was played over the speakers to the crowd during the service.

It was previously revealed that in his final moments, Tom asked to listen to Live Forever along with his friends, family and fellow bandmates as he passed on.

The service featured a number of emotional renditions including Amazing Grace and You Raise Me Up. The service began with a violinist-accompanied version of You Raise Me Up sung by Ollie Marland, who wore sunglasses.

Parker and Marland released music as part of dance duo Lost + Found.

Handbags And Gladrags, also accompanied by a violinist, was sung by RuthAnne Cunningham. She also sung a rendition of Amazing Grace.

As the coffin was carried out of the church to The Wanted's hit song Gold Forever before Kelsey placed a single white rose inside the hearse.

Dad: Tom's father Nigel Parker broke down as he left the service with other family members

Loved ones: He received a hug from a member of the Parker family after the emotional service was played to hundreds of fans outside the church

Tragic: Pictured the order of service for the funeral and flowers spelling out the word 'Daddy'

Showbiz sparkle: Kelsey wore a flowing black jumpsuit under a sparkling tuxedo jacket as mourners dressed in black

Sad occasion: Kelsey wiped her eyes as she walked away from the hearse and returned to her family

Helping hand: She was supported by the funeral director before receiving hugs from her parents

Tom's bandmates dressed in black suits and comforted each other as they waited to carry the coffin. Nathan, who had his long hair tied back in a pony tail, placed his arm round Max, who wore a flat cap pulled low over his face.

Flowers spelling out the word 'Daddy' from Tom's children two children Aurelia, two, and Bodhi, one, were carefully carried into the church after they adorned the side of the carriage.

A flowered sign that spelled the word 'Tom' in red roses was attached to the front of the hearse as it travelled to the church.

Tears for his friend: One Direction star Liam Payne, who performed at a Stand Up 2 Cancer charity concert organised by Tom was also present for the service, breaking down in tears as he left the church

Friend: The singer dressed in a black suit and tie for the funeral, pictured arriving for the service

Close friend: TOWIE star James 'Arg' Argent was also at the service with his ex girlfriend Lydia Bright. The reality star was a close friend of Tom and his wife Kelsey and performed at the couple's 2018 stag do

Appearance: TOWIE exes Lydia and Arg were seen joining other mourners at the service

Moment: Arg and Lydia took a moment to remember their late friend at the service

TOWIE star: Lydia was seen speaking to other mourners as she attended the service with James, who she has remained close friends with following their split

Saying their goodbyes: Olympian Rebecca Adlington, who was at the Parker's wedding, arrived hand in hand with her partner Andy Parsons

Celebrity pals: EastEnders actress Louisa Lytton held the order of service and tissues as the left the church

Tom Parker's favourite songs soundtrack his funeral

Tom Parker's funeral service featured a number of emotional renditions including Amazing Grace and You Raise Me Up.

His coffin was carried into the church by his The Wanted bandmates to the sound of Oasis hit Chamoagne Supernova.

The service began with a violinist-accompanied version of You Raise Me Up sung by Ollie Marland.

Parker and Marland released music as part of dance duo Lost + Found.

Handbags And Gladrags, also accompanied by a violinist, was sung by RuthAnne Cunningham.

She also sung a rendition of Amazing Grace.

The coffin was carried out of the church to The Wanted's hit song Gold Forever before Kelsey placed a single white rose inside the hearse.

Fans dressed in black gathered along the high street and fell silent as his coffin was placed into the horse-drawn carriage.

Many people were crying as the black coffin, with a spray of lilies on top, was taken from W Uden & Sons funeral parlour to the church.

A photograph of Parker in a white rose-adorned frame was placed inside the carriage, alongside multi-coloured flowers shaped to read the word 'daddy', with photographs of handprints from his children, Bodhi and Aurelia.

Hundreds of fans cheered and clapped as the family, led by Parker's widow Kelsey, walked behind the carriage to the church.

Parker died last month at the age of 33, surrounded by his family and bandmates, 17 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Family and close friends of the star gathered in The Sovereign Of The Seas pub opposite the funeral parlour before the procession began.

Outside St Francis of Assisi church, flowers spelled out the words 'Glad You Came', the title of The Wanted's 2011 hit that went to number one in multiple countries.

Fans arrived wearing personalised t-shirts with the words: 'This man was a legend a legend of his time'.

Kevin George and Susan Potter, from Orpington, whose eldest son Daniel died in 2018 aged 22 from an astrocytoma Grade 3 brain tumour, were among those waiting outside the church ahead of the funeral of The Wanted star Tom Parker.

Asked whether Parker's campaigning for brain tumour research in his final months had affected her, Ms Potter, who was carrying a framed picture of her son, said: 'Of course it did, especially the BBC One interview that they did and the way he dealt with it. It was exactly how my son dealt with it - exactly.

'In fact, at his funeral we played Bon Jovi, It's My Life, because that kind of (message) - it's my life, I am going to live it now, I am going to live it today.'

Heading to church: Fans, some of whom brought their children, were seen standing outside the church where screens were erected

Comfort: Kelsey was comforted by her parents during the emotional service

Memories: Fans laughed as anecdotes were shared by Tom's loved ones inside

For the fans: Kelsey had told fans she wanted them to attend the service for her husband

Tears: Earlier, the pop singer's widow, Kelsey, whom he married in 2018, earlier watched the funeral procession with her parents and Tom's mum and dad (right)

Loss: Earlier, the pop singer's widow, Kelsey, whom he married in 2018, broke down as she led a cortege featuring three black horses through Petts Wood, walking arm in arm with her parents

Support: Kelsey, wearing sunglasses, was held up by family members as they watched the procession pass

Family: Tom's parents Noreen and Nigel Parker were seen holding hands as they stood alongside Kelsey and her mum and dad

Support: Kelsey wore a glittery tuxedo jacket while other family members matched in their own colourful shirts and accessories

Loved ones: Kelsey led the mourners, walking behind the coffin which was carried in the horse and carriage. She wore a black jumpsuit under her sparkly tuxedo jacket

Hit makers: Throughout his adult years Tom was instantly recognisable to many teenager and young people thanks to the success of his band

Friends and bandmates: Tom performed with his band for the final time just two weeks before he died

Band: The Wanted stars were pictured walking to the church, dressed in black suits and ties

By his side: The band were with Tom when he passed away on March 30. It was previously revealed that in his final moments, Tom asked to listen to the Oasis song 'Live Forever' along with his friends, family and fellow bandmates as he passed on

The band were seen talking to the funeral director before they took over as pallbearers

Bandmates: Max arrived hand in hand with his girlfriend Stacey Giggs as he joined bandmate Siva

Mr George added: 'It's good. It is raising the profile as well. He has raised a lot of money for research, which is what it needs.

'A lot of other cancers have almost been eradicated. They need to have more research into brain tumours.'

Super-fan Stefanie Marek, 29, had flown from Austria on Tuesday to witness the funeral procession. The IT trainee said fellow fans waiting along the procession route had shared special memories they had of Parker and The Wanted over the years.

'I have come all the way from Austria, I came in from London Gatwick yesterday because I saw the announcement Kelsey made and I saw (Tom) in Nottingham not too long ago and I can't believe he is gone, so I thought I might as well come out here and pay respects to him and give my condolences.

Boybanders: Liam Payne stood close by to The Wanted star Jay McGuinness after the service

Fellow boybander: Liam was close to Tom after their bands both hit the charts during the noughties

Tears: Jay broke down as he bid a final farewell to his much loved bandmate

Fan following: Hundreds of Tom's fans gathered outside the church where they watched the service broadcast on three screens

Paying their respects: Fans watched as Tom's coffin was carefully carried onto the hearse following the church service

Mourners: The friends and family invited to the service dressed in black, while Kelsey and his close family members added sparkly accessories

Laughter and tears: Nathan was seen smiling as the band shared memories with Tom's family and friends

Lean on me: Max was supported by his girlfriend Stacey Giggs, who he recently reunited with, while Nathan held hands with his partner Charlotte Burke

Tribute: Max had earlier had the mourners laughing as he shared memories of his friend and bandmate of 12 years Tom

Tough day: Max shared an embrace with a fellow mourner as the crowd gathered outside the church after the service

'They all grew really dear to me and now that Tom's gone physically it really hit hard because you didn't expect it to happen so soon, especially at 33 years of age.'

Laura Chalk, 24, from Essex said outside Tom Parker's funeral: 'I still don't believe that Tom is gone; he has such a special place in my heart. Being here is helping me let go a bit, I think it is nice for Kelsey and his kids to see such a crowd of his fans and show how much he meant to the world.

'I am a big fan. Honestly it is a real privilege to be here. It is special because I feel like a funeral should be private, immediate family and friends, but I feel The Wanted fans are a family and always have been and I know Tom really loved every single one of his.'

Lining the streets: The Wanted joined hundreds of fans to pay their respects as the hearse travelled through Pett's Wood in South East London

Laid to rest: Fans gathered in their hundreds and fell silent as the coffin was slowly carried past

Local: Tom's family home was in South East London with his local community turning out for the funeral

With the fans: Max was pictured standing among fans and friends of the star on the funeral route

Support: Max fought back tears as he left the service accompanied by girlfriend Stacey

Laid to rest: Four horses led the funeral procession on the sunny day in Londo

Kelsey previously said it would be 'beautiful' to see his devotees 'line the route' to the venue where his friends and family will pay tribute.

Kelsey also politely requested that people donate to her GoFundMe account instead of sending gifts and flowers, as she explained the proceeds would be going to causes in Tom's name.

She wrote on Instagram: 'I am Kelsey Parker, very proud wife of Tom Parker, probably best known for being one fifth of UK boyband The Wanted, but to those who knew him he was my husband, a Daddy, son, brother and friend.

'As many of you know, Tom was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2020 and on Wednesday 30th March 2022 he passed away peacefully with all of his closest friends and family by his side.

'He was my childhood': The Wanted fans share their memories of Tom Parker as they arrive at his funeral

'In fact, at his funeral we played Bon Jovi, It's My Life, because that kind of (message) - it's my life, I am going to live it now, I am going to live it today.'

Mr George added: 'It's good. It is raising the profile as well. He has raised a lot of money for research, which is what it needs. A lot of other cancers have almost been eradicated. They need to have more research into brain tumours.'

Ahead of the cortege for Tom Parker, receptionist Chloe Mayne, 25 from Plumstead and a self-professed 'super-fan' of the late singer, told the PA news agency: 'It was amazing seeing him (perform live).

'It's horrible that I saw him at the O2 and then two weeks later he died. The day he died it really hit me. To be fair I don't think anyone was expecting it that quickly, I thought he'd have at least another Christmas and maybe next year.

'He was sitting in a chair but it was amazing, it looked like he was having the time of his life.'

Ms Mayne said she was 15 when she became a fan of The Wanted and had attended around 25 of the boy band's concerts, adding: 'He was my childhood really.'

Susie Mayaka, 40, came down from Lincoln yesterday, staying overnight in London, to join the service this morning.

She said: 'Tom's death is just tragic. He was so talented and he was so loved by so many people. I loved The Wanted so much - I've followed them since the start so it means a lot to me to come here today.'

Aarti Gledhill, 54, from nearby Orpington said she felt compelled to come to pay her respects to Tom as he was so local. She said: 'He was so young to lose his life. And he had two children - it's utterly devastating.

'I just thought I've got to come because it's so tragic to die at 33 - it seems so unfair.'

Two fans, who had travelled hours to pay their respects to the late The Wanted singer, said it was down to the band that they became friends a decade ago.

Katie Thurston, 25, from Bristol, said: 'We met 10 years ago at one of their gigs and we've done every gig together since then. 'Today feels a bit like closure in a way. It's weird because we don't know him but we feel like we do.

'It's sad because you feel like these people are going to live forever - you put them in a little bubble. We were devastated when we heard the news.'

Katie and her friend Tilly Gilfedder, 24, said they saw The Wanted live for the last time just six days before Tom passed away. The pair had attended six dates on the band's reunion tour. Katie added: 'It was a shock even though deep down we all knew it was coming. I think we thought he might have a little bit longer. Although it was expected it was still very upsetting.'

Tilly, who had travelled all the way from Leicester to join the service today, added: 'We've been fans of The Wanted since day one. 'We've been here since the beginning and we're here till the end.'

She explained that it's her birthday today but she felt compelled to pay her respects to Tom instead of celebrating. She added: 'Tom meant so much to us. 'Our memories of him will last a lifetime. We wouldn't miss it for the world.'

Paying their respects: Kelsey had invited mourners to gather outside the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church in Petts Wood for the 10:45am service, where screens broadcasted the service