The Wanted’s Tom Parker thanks fans after revealing brain tumor diagnosis

Tom Parker revealed over the weekend that he has been diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma tumor after seeking treatment for unexplained seizures. The British singer shared the devastating news on his Instagram on October 12 and confirmed that he has already begun seeking treatment for the terminal condition.Parker, who was part of the popular British boy band The Wanted from 2009 until the group’s hiatus in 2014, announced the news on Instagram next to a picture of himself with wife Kelsey Hardwick and their 1-year-old daughter, Aurelia. The couple are currently expecting their second child.“Hey guys, you know that we’ve both been quiet on social media for a few weeks and it’s time to tell you why,” wrote Parker. “There’s no easy way to say this but I’ve sadly been diagnosed with a brain tumor and I’m already undergoing treatment.The 32-year-old singer wrote that the couple decided to share the diagnosis with OK! Magazine to ensure that the facts around Parker’s condition would not be misquoted in the press. “We are all absolutely devastated but we are gonna fight this all the way. We don’t want your sadness, we just want love and positivity and together we will raise awareness of this terrible disease and look for all available treatment options,” continued Parker. “It’s gonna be a tough battle but with everyone’s love and support we are going to beat this.”

 

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Hey guys, you know that we’ve both been quiet on social media for a few weeks and it’s time to tell you why. There’s no easy way to say this but I’ve sadly been diagnosed with a Brain Tumour and I’m already undergoing treatment. We decided, after a lot of thought, that rather than hiding away and trying to keep it a secret, we would do one interview where we could lay out all the details and let everyone know the facts in our own way. We are all absolutely devastated but we are gonna fight this all the way. We don’t want your sadness, we just want love and positivity and together we will raise awareness of this terrible disease and look for all available treatment options. It’s gonna be a tough battle but with everyone’s love and support we are going to beat this. Tom and Kelsey xxx @ok_mag

A post shared by Tom Parker (@tomparkerofficial) on Oct 11, 2020 at 11:08pm PDT

Speaking to OK! Magazine, Parker recounted the moment he was told why he was experiencing seizures. “They pulled the curtain around my bed and said, ‘It’s a brain tumor.’ All I could think was, ‘F--king hell!’ I was in shock. It’s stage four glioblastoma and they’ve said it’s terminal,” said Parker. “It was a lot to deal with by myself. I still haven’t processed it.”Hardwick also spoke about what it has been like watching her husband of two years deal with the devastating diagnosis. “I don’t think Tom will ever process this information. It’s horrendous,” said Hardwick. “Watching your partner go through this is so hard, because how can I tell him not to let it consume him?”[video_embed id='2049962']RELATED: Toronto teen living with cancer gets a personal message from Drake [/video_embed]In a follow-up Instagram post about a day later, Parker thanked fans for their messages of support since he shared the news. "We truly are overwhelmed with everyone’s love, support and positivity," he wrote. "We have had so many people reach out with positive stories and it’s been incredible... We are fighting this- thanks to everyone behind us fighting alongside us... Let's do this."

 

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⭐️ NEW ISSUE ALERT! ⭐️ This week in OK!, @thewantedmusic singer @tomparkerofficial and his wife @being_kelsey exclusively reveal their devastation over his inoperable brain tumour. We're sending all our support at this heartbreaking time. Also, the Duchess of Cambridge preparing to be our future queen and @loveisland's @thewhitmore plays cupid for single friend Emily Atack. Out in London stores today and nationwide tomorrow... ✨ . . . . . #okmagazine #celebrity #celebritynews #tomparker #thewanted #theduchessodcambridge #royalnews #laurawhitmore #emilyatack

A post shared by OK! Magazine UK (@ok_mag) on Oct 12, 2020 at 5:15am PDT

Since announcing their hiatus six years ago, Parker has remained close with his The Wanted band mates. Max George and Jay McGuiness were both groomsmen for Parker and Hardwick at the couple’s 2018 wedding. Along with Siva Kaneswaran and Nathan Sykes, the five singers enjoyed massive success in the UK and North America in the early 2010s with their singles “Glad You Came” and “All Time Low.” The five-piece starred on the short-lived E! reality series The Wanted Life in 2013, which chronicled their move to Los Angeles, the making of their third studio album and the preparation for their first world tour.Parker’s former bandmates have also been sharing their support for Parker and his family on social media since news of the diagnosis went public. “I’ve been trying to work out what to say for days, but there are simply no words. It’s just the most unbelievably cruel situation. However, Tom will attack this with the same vigour that he has with everything he has ever set his mind to,” wrote Sykes.

Tom and Kelsey’s strength and bravery is incredible which was shown in the interview that was published today. I love and support both Tom and Kels and I’ll be right behind them every step of the way in their fight.

— Nathan Sykes (@NathanSykes) October 12, 2020

“Tom and Kelsey, we are with you all the way,” wrote Kaneswaran in a throwback picture of the friends.

 

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Tom and Kelsey, we are with you all the way. I know one thing. This rockstar has always given 150% with everything he does and that’s how I know we are gonna get through this. Sending you love and positivity friends. xxx

A post shared by Siva Kaneswaran (@sivaofficial) on Oct 12, 2020 at 12:40pm PDT

George also posted a message to Parker, adding that he was with his friend every step of the way on his "new journey." “His heart is the size of a lions, and it is his drive and passion that has always led The Wanted and made sure we are looked after the right way,” said George. “Speaking as a brother, a friend and a band mate. I know that you will conquer this as you have every other challenge you have ever faced.”

 

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First of all.. I think the bravery of Tom and Kelsey announcing their situation is incredible. It’s obviously a devastating and scary time... but for those who don’t know Tom I will say this. There is nothing that he has ever given up on and has never taken no for an answer. His heart is the size of a lions, and it is his drive and passion that has always led The Wanted and made sure we are looked after the right way. Speaking as a brother, a friend and a band mate.. I know that you will conquer this as you have every other challenge you have ever faced. We are all on this journey together... and I can’t wait to get back on the stage with you and the boys and have a proper celebration when you’re better. You got this my man. I love you, Kels and all the family with all my heart and I’ll be right here.❤️

A post shared by Max George (@maxgeorge) on Oct 12, 2020 at 5:20am PDT

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