Late Member of Band The Wanted

Tom Parker | Biography

Avid Advocate of Brain Cancer

• By Nischal Niroula
• Update : May 14, 2022

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Tom Parker was an English singer best known as a member of a pop band named The Wanted.

Who was Tom Parker?

Tom Parker was an Irish dance-pop vocalist and a member of the famous platinum-selling band The Wanted. He was born on 4 August 1988 in Bolton, England. 

Before joining the band, at the age of 16, Parker auditioned for The X Factor as a solo artist. However, he got rejected. And it shattered his will, so he did not sing for a couple of years. 

Parker then went on to study geography at the University but dropped himself out to pursue his musical dream.

The singer earned recognition as one of The Wanted members, which was formed in 2009. The band released its debut album in 2010 and was able to attract a huge fan base. The band also performed in several events, including the 2010 'BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards' in London.

The band's song 'Glad You Came' achieved number one rank in the UK and number three on the US Billboard chart. Some other hits of the band are 'All Time Low,' 'Heart Vacancy,' and 'Lightning.'

Parker also appeared as Danny Zuko in a production of Grease that toured all over the UK in 2017. The next year, he showed up in ITV's The Real Full Monty: Live with Ugo Monye, a former rugby union player, and raised awareness about testicular and prostate cancer.

Additionally, Parker also appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2015 and, in the year 2016, finished third in Channel 4's The Jump.

Unfortunately, he passed away on 30 March 2022 at the age of 33, following an incurable brain tumor diagnosed in 2020. In his memoir, he revealed that Ed Sheeran selflessly paid his medical bills. 

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'Tom Parker: Inside My Head' (2021)

Parker was diagnosed with glioblastoma (stage-4) in the year 2020. The singer offered his fans a brief look into his personal life as he struggles with brain cancer in the documentary, Tom Parker: Inside My Head.

The documentary presents Parker's initial diagnosis with glioblastoma, the treatment, and his efforts to organize a charity reunion concert featuring his former band members.

Parker, in the documentary, says that despite his battle with cancer, he maintains a positive outlook on life. He expressed that he wants certain things from the future; more time with his children and wife and more time with life.  

The singer also shared how the disease has taken a serious toll on him, affecting his mobility and short-term memory.

Raising Awareness and Campaigns 

Parker spent the last months of his life campaigning for brain cancer. Then, just six months earlier from his death, he and The Wanted bandmates announced the group's comeback. Subsequently, they performed a charity gig to generate brain tumor research funds.

In addition to that, they raised awareness regarding fund shortage for brain cancer research.

Hugh Adams, a member of the Brain Tumor Research charity, praised the singer for contributing to spreading awareness of brain cancer. According to him, Parker would always be remembered for his grit, passion, and intelligence.

During his final months of life, he utilized his platform to call for effective and better treatment of patients with brain illness. In December 2021, Parker stated to an all-parliamentary group that he was shocked to witness the rapid development of COVID vaccines. However, they haven't found sound treatments for brain tumors for decades on end.

Wife and Children

Parker is survived by his wife Kelsey Hardwick and their two children. His wife is an actress known for her work in Abducted (2014) and The Interceptor (2015).