'SOULMATES'
Tom Parker funeral: The Wanted star’s tearful wife relives moment they first met and the best day of their life together
TOM Parker's heartbroken wife today described her husband as her '"soulmate" in an emotional eulogy at his funeral.
The Wanted singer died last month aged 33 after a brave battle with an inoperable brain tumour.
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
Tom is being laid to rest today in a private service in Petts Wood, Orpington, attended by his close family and friends.
Devastated wife Kelsey led the cortege, which included three black horses.
She was supported by friends and family as the funeral procession made its way through South East London.
In a pre-recorded message Kelsey told the congregation that they were "soulmates" as bandmate Max George had them laughing at his memories of the star.
Read more on brave Tom
In her message to those saying their goodbyes, Tom’s widow Kelsey made his friends and family chuckle as she shared anecdotes about how they met in a club.
The couple got together before he shot to fame, with Kelsey saying: "From that moment I told everyone I wanted to marry Tom Parker."
"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.
Most read in The Sun
"Marrying you was the best day of my life... soulmates, that's what we are.
“You are my best friend, but more. The one person in the world who knows me better than anyone else. And who I know better than anyone.
“You are the one who accepted me and believed in me before anyone else did, and we truly lived 1,000 years in 13 years.
“We’ve had a lifetime together and I will carry you, my soulmate, with me until we meet again. Our souls are endless. I can still feel you with me now.
“If love alone could’ve saved you, you would’ve lived forever. I love you babe, from your babe.”
The service features a number of emotional renditions including Amazing Grace, performed by RuthAnne Cunningham, and You Raise Me Up sung by Ollie Marland, who wore sunglasses.
The carriage carrying his coffin featured flowers that spelt out "Daddy" and "Tom".
Handprints of his two children, Aurelia, one, and Bodhi, two, were placed on top of the carriage in a touching tribute.
Tom's The Wanted bandmates Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, and Nathan Sykes were also seen fighting back tears as they watched the procession.
'BEST FRIEND'
They acted as pallbearers as the coffin was taken into the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi while Champagne Supernova by Oasis played.
Max told attendees that Tom was the only member of The Wanted to have a “punch up” with all his bandmates - which was met by laughter.
Max said: "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."
"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.
“His feisty-ness outmatched anyone on the planet. He is the only member of The Wanted to have a punch up with every member of The Wanted.
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.
Max George
"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."
Fellow bandmate Siva dedicated a poem to Tom, saying that it was an “honour” to see his “spirit shine.”
One Direction star Liam Payne, who played a charity gig for Stand Up to Cancer organised by Tom in September, was also in attendance.
Hundreds of devastated fans earlier lined the streets after being invited to pay their respects by his Kelsey.
They can watch the moving service on large TV screens outside the church.
29
29
29
29
29
29
Speaking ahead of the funeral, Kelsey said: "Thomas Anthony Parker. There will be a private celebration of life on Wednesday 20th April.
"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."
Kelsey broke the news last month that Tom had tragically passed away after he was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour in 2020.
Marrying you was the best day of my life... soulmates, that's what we are.
Kelsey Parker
The mum shared two moving photographs on Instagram as she announced the heartbreaking news.
She wrote: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side.
"Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence."
Kelsey also created a page following her husband's death to "keep Tom's memory alive forever".
The page exceeded its £5,000 target within the first 12 hours and so far has received more than £58,000 worth of donations.
Tom revealed in October 2020 that he had an inoperable stage 4 glioblastoma - which doctors described as “the worst case scenario”.
TRAGIC DEATH
The singer was given just 18 months to live and underwent several gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiotherapy sessions.
The star had been undergoing treatment in Spain that meant he was forced to pull out of the start of the boyband's UK tour.
But he did make an appearance at the later dates where he performed while sitting on a throne.
Opening up about his illness last October, hopeful Tom expressed a goal to be cancer-free by March.
But he also bravely spoke about his fear of death in a heartbreaking Channel 4 documentary, Tom Parker: Inside My Head.
Breaking down in tears on camera, he said: "Scared is an understatement. I was petrified. I couldn't stop thinking about death, is the honest truth."
Later, Tom was shown lying on his bed and crying into his hands.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
He added: "It's so hard to think about the future, because I genuinely don't know what it holds any more."
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
Topics