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WANT SOME MORE?
The Wanted’s Nathan Sykes reveals future of band after Tom Parker’s death and big money deal he walked away from
Nathan also gave fans an update on his personal life and upcoming wedding
THE WANTED’s Nathan Sykes looked set for solo superstardom in 2016 with his debut album, Ariana Grande collaboration and tour of the US.
Now the ex-boybander has revealed his secret struggle in the intervening years, which saw him scrap an album and walk away from a big-money record deal when his bandmate Tom Parker was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
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In his first exclusive interview to celebrate his return to pop with his new single Pieces Of Me, the singer has spoken about how he dropped everything when he heard about Tom, who died in 2022, aged 33.
Nathan signed a record deal and spent four years writing and recording his second solo album before preparing to release it.
But recalling the moment he found out about Tom in October 2020, which inspired a The Wanted reunion the following year, Nathan said: “Everything stopped.
“It was that afternoon after I got the call about Tom, I rang the label and I said, ‘I need you to let me out of this contract’.
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“And they were like, ‘You’re walking away from a full album?’.
“I was like, ‘Yeah. I’ve got to. There will hopefully be more times in my life where I get to write an album. This tour and this celebration of the band needs to be done now’.
“I was never going to put myself over Tom in that situation.
“After Tom passed, I was listening to some of the stuff that I’d written previously for the album and I was like, ‘No, I’m going to can the whole lot’.”
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After much soul-searching, Nathan dropped Pieces Of Me yesterday and it is a brilliant piece of slick, modern pop.
He said: “It’s quite uplifting and it’s fun.
The Wanted - Band sing Lose My Mind in exclusive Sun studio session
“I think a lot of people expected me to come back with a piano ballad. And I was like, ‘Not this time’.
“Even though I’ve been able to do so much, I don’t feel like people have ever got to know the real Nathan.
“People have only got to know versions of me or pieces of me. And I was like, ‘Ah, that’s a fun song’.”
Reflecting on what he has learned in the past few years, Nathan explained: “You don’t realise how short and unfair life can be.
“And I think it’s about making the most of every moment that we have.
"If you want to do something, get on and do it.
“That’s what led me to be like, ‘No, I’m going to write an album and let’s do it independently’.”
That album is now on the way, although he is keeping the title a secret for now and it will be an emotional listen for his fans.
On the album’s closing track, he said: “It is heart wrenching because it’s about accepting that a chapter is closing in your life. And that’s very much where I was.
“I went through the tour and it was a really tough period.
“I’ve done a lot of growing.
“I feel like, this time round, it’s the first time that I’ve actually been comfortable within myself and who I am. And having a full knowledge of who I want to be as an artist.”
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'Walking away'
Nathan and Tom reunited with Max George, Siva Kaneswaran and Jay McGuiness for a greatest hits album and one-off show in 2021 which was followed by a tour in early 2022, ending just two weeks before Tom’s passing.
Speaking about the emotional concerts, Nathan said: “Obviously you’d give anything for it not to have happened.
“But, equally, I’m so grateful that we were able to have that time given that it did happen.
“It was just such a special time and the reception that he got every night, he really felt it. And it meant so much to him that he could do that.
“He was desperate to do that tour.
“There were tough moments, but we were having some of our fondest memories with Tom over that time.
“It was so special and he loved every second of it.
“He got so much joy out of it.”
But Nathan admitted: “The last gig in Liverpool was the toughest one because normally at the end of a tour, you’d go for drinks and it would all be quite happy.
“There’s usually a buzz in an arena after a show.
“But the arena was silent and backstage it was silent.
“No one spoke. No one.
“There was no talk of going for a drink, let’s just put it that way.
“It was so eerie because I think everyone knew that was the last time we were going to be on stage as a five. And that was tough.”
‘Planning a wedding’
Now Max and Siva are touring as The Wanted 2.0, but a four-piece reunion with Nathan and Jay seems out of the question.
Nathan said: “I’m really happy for them.
“They get a lot of enjoyment in performing the music and they see it as a tribute to Tom.
“Whereas Jay and I’s approach to it is that there’s a lot of emotion attached to that still. And I think we would find that really difficult.
“It’s just two different approaches and neither one is wrong.
“I think it’s really difficult imagining The Wanted as a four-piece because The Wanted has been and will only ever be a five-piece.
“It’s difficult imagining not performing with Tom.”
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Thankfully, Nathan has an anchor in his life in the form of his fiancée Charlotte Burke.
They met at a party at Max’s dad’s house when the band were originally together and romance eventually blossomed.
And he revealed they are now preparing to tie the knot.
He said: “We’ve just always been in each other’s life and she’s such a special person.
“It’s so grounding to have someone who you feel so safe with.
“I’m releasing music, gearing up towards an album and all that comes with it — and planning a wedding.
“There’s quite a bit going on.
“We have set a date towards the end of this year.
“It’s just a really exciting time.”
After a tough few years, we couldn’t be happier for him.
Battle bus
IF you’re on the motorway this weekend, keep an eye out for TalkSPORT’s Battle Bus – which the radio station is taking to Cheltenham races all next week to broadcast live from the festival.
I’m a keen listener and given Oasis legend Noel Gallagher is a massive fan and a regular guest, I’m in very good company.
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Ashley is TV guide for girls
ASHLEY JAMES has been announced as an official Ambassador for Girlguiding.
As a proud former imp in Brownies, I loved every part of the experience and TV star Ash, told me it helped her gain confidence.
She added: “It’s a worrying time to be a girl or young woman, where seas of change are making waves in the wrong direction as far as equality is concerned.
“Sexism and misogyny are rising, and so much more must be done to tackle this damaging harm to girls and women.
“Girlguiding is needed more than ever as it offers a space where girls can thrive and build confidence.
“I am honoured to take up the role as an official ambassador and help girls have their voices heard.”
I’m right behind you, Ashley.
Roan shows her metal
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CHAPPELL ROAN has finally scored her first No1 single with Pink Pony Club – four years after it was first released.
Chappell, who skipped the Brit Awards, dressed up like one of the trophies as she arrived at Paris Fashion Week in a metallic outfit.
She is just about to drop her first single in a year, a country-infused track called The Giver.
Chappell said: “Many people have asked if this means I’m making a country album.
“My answer is, hmm, right now I’m making songs that make me feel happy.”
And she’ll be happy to see Pink Pony Club leap-frog Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us after weeks of climbing up the charts.
Elsewhere, Lola Young and Myles Smith have risen after their Brits performances, as has Sabrina Carpenter, whose album is back at No1.
DOLLY PARTON has paid tribute to her late husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, after he died on Monday.
The country music star released a ballad called If You Hadn’t Been There, in which she tearfully sings: “If you hadn’t been there, where would I be?”
She wrote on Instagram: “He will always be the star of my life story and I dedicate this song to him.”
Louis live gigs back on track
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LOUIS TOMLINSON made an emotional live music UK comeback at Electric Brixton in South London.
The former One Direction star told fans at Thursday’s sold-out gig: “I just want to say how much of a f***ing luxury it is for me that I’ve had six months off.
“When you have six months off, you’re thinking, ‘I hope everything’s going to be alright. I hope I’m going to have a good show’.”
Louis warned the crowd not to get “too excited” as he insisted he had no big announcement to make on new music.
But he did admit: “To be writing this next record feels really, really f***ing exciting.”
As the crowd went wild for tracks including 1D’s Drag Me Down and Night Changes, Louis added: “Every single place I go, all over the world, I get this reception. I love you.”
Calvin vocal up in smoke
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CALVIN HARRIS quit singing 15 years ago after he scored a No1 album with Ready For The Weekend – but now he is grabbing his microphone once again.
The superstar DJ said as recently as 2021 that he thought his voice was “dodgy”, but he will sing on his country-influenced song, Smoke The Pain Away, which is out next Friday.
There are loads of new tunes to listen to this weekend, though, with the release of Lady Gaga's album Mayhem and Blackpink star Jennie's record Ruby, which features collaborations with singer Dua Lipa and rapper Doechii.
You should also check out Loren Krama’s song Hope Is A Dangerous Thing For A Woman Like Me To Have – But I Have It, from Living Legend, his upcoming EP of Lana Del Rey covers.
PETE DOHERTY has spoken out about his health woe after The Sun revealed last month that doctors warned he risked losing his feet amid his battle with Type 2 diabetes.
Speaking on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X yesterday, The Libertines rocker said: “I’m alright.
“Look, the feet.
“I’ve got orthopaedic shoes on.
“It’s a diabetes thing.
“The toes, you see.
“They went a bit… They’re still there, but I’ve just got to wear these.
"It’s been hurtful, walking around London in these.
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“People can be so cruel.”
He had to perform sitting down during several dates on The Libertines’ recent tour, but he is back on his feet now, so at least he’s on the mend.
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