Tom Parker’s health journey and brain cancer battle following The Wanted star’s death aged 33
Posted by  badge Boss on Mar 30, 2022 - 09:27PM
Tom Parker has died at 33 (Picture: PA)

The Wanted singer Tom Parker has , his wife Kelsey Parker and the band announced on Instagram.

The artist shared news of his glioblastoma diagnosis in October 2020 and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

‘Max, Jay, Siva, Nathan and 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,’ a statement announcing his death read.

‘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.’

What is stage 4 glioblastama?

Glioblastoma is a grade four brain tumour. It is an aggressive type of cancer that forms from cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells and can occur in the brain or spinal cord.

Parker revealed news of his cancer diagnosis in 2020 (Picture: Rex)

This type of cancer can occur at any age but tends to occur more often in older adults. It can cause worsening headaches, nausea, vomiting, and seizures.

They are fast-growing, diffuse – meaning they have threadlike tendrils that extend into other parts of the brain, are likely to spread within the brain, and may come back.

Parker had been battling glioblastoma for almost two years.

What treatment did Tom Parker have?

Parker revealed in October 2020 that he had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Following his diagnosis, he underwent 30 rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiotherapy sessions, as well as physiotherapy to rebuild the strength in his left side after the tumour caused it to weaken. 

Parker was incredibly open about his cancer journey (Picture: Instagram)
He shared his treatment journey with his fans (Picture: Instagram)

In January 2021, Parker admitted , telling fans: ‘Having been in the public eye since the age of 21 my appearance has always been important to me. I have had many different hairstyles from a Danny Zuko quiff and the crazy blonde stage my wife hated.

‘When I started treatment my hair started to fall out, so after a morning at the hospital I came home and told @being_kelsey to shave my head. 

‘I remember this so vividly, I felt like part of me was being taken away as I saw the hair drop to the floor. There were tears.’

Over the course of his treatment, the singer sawin scans.

Parker revealed his tumour was ‘stable’ in November 2021 (Picture: Rex)

Parker detailed much of his journey through treatment with his fans, and in July, admitted he was struggling to eat.‘

Tryna get just anything inside me is so difficult right now,’ he wrote at the time.

‘Chemo just absolutely knocks it out of you!! Do we have any better treatments for cancer yet.’

Sharing a photo of him with wife Kelsey and their daughter Aurelia, and son Bodhi, he told fans that his family were what was getting him through the difficult days. 

‘What a difference a few days make. Currently I’m laid in bed with chemo side effects hitting me in the face hard. These 3 little beauties get me through it and make it all worth it.’

He had received treatment in Spain only last month (Picture: Instagram)

In November 2021, he announced that the results of a scan showed it was now ‘stable’ and ‘under control’ after receiving treatment.

‘I’m sat here with tears in my eyes as I tell you,’ Parker wrote at the time. ‘We’ve got my brain tumour under control.

‘We had the results from my latest scan…and I’m delighted to say it is STABLE.

‘Such a mix of emotions. We couldn’t ask for any more really at this point; a year or so in to this journey. Honestly over the moon. We can sleep a little easier tonight.’

In February, Parker went to a private hospital in Spain to receive treatment for his tumour.

The Sun reported at the time that he received medication at a centre in Costa del Sol, which charges £8,000 for two weeks or £11,600 for a three-week program.