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

Hundreds of fans have joined Tom Parker‘s family and friends for his funeral in south-east London after his widower Kelsey encouraged fans of the late singer to pay their respects. 

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.

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 on Wednesday morning, walking arm in arm with her parents.  

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. 

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.

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’. 

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 has 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.

‘Our hearts are truly broken, Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without him, but one of the biggest sources of comfort over the last 2 years has been the outpouring of love and support we’ve all received.

‘We can’t thank everyone enough for holding Tom, myself and the children in your thoughts and prayers, for lighting candles and sharing beautiful messages of hope and condolence.’

Kelsey explained how she she desires to turn the grief into something ‘positive’ and ‘keep Tom’s memory alive forever.’

‘We want to take everyone’s incredible love, support and generosity and turn our grief into something positive and to keep Tom’s memory alive forever. We politely request that instead of gifts and flowers, donations are made to this GoFundMe account with all proceeds eventually going to amazing causes in Tom’s name, to help others in need.

‘We simply couldn’t have got through the last 2 years without the help and support we have received and if we can offer it back to others that would be the best way to honour Tom and make our two children, Aurelia and Bodhi proud,’ Kelsey said.

She signed off: ‘From the bottom of our hearts, a huge thank you. If love alone could have saved Tom, he would have lived forever…’.

To date, the fundraiser has surpassed the goal by £30,000, with donations amounting to an incredible £58,000 on the day of the funeral .

Tom ensured his young family were provided for by buying a ‘forever home’ touring and writing a memoir just months before his death from brain cancer aged 33.

While bravely sharing every stage of his cancer journey, the singer detailed how it was his number one priority to provide security to wife Kelsey and their two children Aurelia, two, and Bodhi, one, in the years to come – as he faced an uncertain future.

Speaking on Channel 4 documentary Inside My Head which aired in November, the musician revealed his new home, saying: ‘This is gonna be our forever home.

‘It’s important for me that obviously the kids and Kels have got somewhere nice to grow up.

‘I don’t know what’s going to happen with my health over the next few years, so as long as they’re alright and they’re all good here, that’s all that matters.’

‘We’re all going to grow old together here, fingers crossed.’

He added: ‘Been through tough times to be honest and I’m preparing to buy a place like this, who would have thought? I’m proud of myself.’

One week before his death, Tom revealed he had been writing a tell-all memoir.