The Wanted star Tom Parker has died at the age of 33 years old, his wife has confirmed.
The Bolton-born musician has been battling with an inoperable brain tumour since October 2020.
He passed away peacefully at home today surrounded by his family and his bandmates.
Tom leaves behind wife Kelsey, and two children – Aurelia, two, and Bodhi, one.
Tom Parker’s wife Kelsey confirmed his death on Instagram today. Credit: Instagram, being_kelsey
Just days ago, Parker made it on stage with his bandmates on their UK tour and was greeted with an outpouring of love from audiences across the country.
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Kelsey has posted a touching tribute to her husband on Instagram today.
She wrote: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side.
“Our hearts are broken, Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence.
“We are truly thankful for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom’s light continues to shine for his beautiful children.
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“Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you.”
Tom has been part of the global boyband sensation The Wanted since 2009, alongside his bandmates Max George, Jay McGuinness, Nathan Sykes, and Siva Kaneswaren.
Tom Parker’s last social media post was to call his The Wanted bandmates the ‘dream team’. Credit: Instagram, Tom Parker.
The group has now posted their own tribute to him, writing: “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.
“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. Tom Parker 1988-2022.”
Their smash-hit singles have included All Time Low, Glad You Came, and Chasing The Sun, as well as releasing three studio albums.
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The group had recently ended a hiatus to get back together for a Greatest Hits album and tour, which saw them back on stage at the AO Arena in Manchester.
Tom Parker having a beer backstage in Manchester. Credit: Instagram, @maxgeorge
Tom was first diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) back in October 2020.
Announcing the devastating diagnosis in a social media statement at the time, he said: “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.”
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Tom had been undergoing treatment ever since, including a recent treatment programme in Spain that forced him to miss the first few dates of The Wanted’s recent tour.
Featured image: Instagram, Tom Parker
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11 men arrested following ‘busy’ day of protests and marches in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
11 men have been arrested following a ‘busy’ day of protests and marches in Manchester city centre over the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said several demonstrations – the most noteworthy being that of the widely-reported Britain First march – took place ‘peacefully’ across central Manchester at the weekend, particularly on Saturday (21 February), with officers working closely with organisers to ensure people could protest ‘safely’.
Police were also on-hand to ensure that wider disruption to the general public around the city centre was ‘kept to a minimum’ as best as possible.
A ‘significant’ policing operation was said to be in place throughout Saturday – with additional resources deployed and pre-prepared plans activated by GMP, alongside partner agencies, to help the day run smoothly.
While the demonstrations on the day were described by authorities as ‘peaceful’, 11 people were arrested on suspicion on a range of offences.
These included two men on suspicion of prevention of a breach of the peace, four men on suspicion of public order offences, and one man on suspicion of assault, just to name a few.
Two of the 11 were de-arrested, while the nine others were taken to police custody, and a section 34 dispersal order was subsequently put in place until 8pm that evening (21 February), allowing police to direct people to leave the area.
11 people have been arrested following a ‘busy’ day of protests in Manchester / Credit: GMP
Speaking following the demonstrations and arrests made over the weekend, Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson, who was the gold commander for policing operation, commented: “Manchester was expected to be extremely busy today, with multiple planned protests in the city centre as well as several football matches.
“We put extra officers on duty to support people’s right to protest peacefully, while reducing the impact on the wider public.
“Thanks to the efforts of our officers on the ground and the planning done with our partners, hundreds of people from a range of groups were able to come together safely, with no significant issues reported.
“Greater Manchester is a place where people can confidently and lawfully express their views, while ensuring that residents, workers, and visitors can go about their day feeling safe.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly
Danny Jones
If you’ve passed through Manchester Piccadilly of late, you might have noticed two things: one, it’s really quiet, and two, there’s loads of cool Britpop merch and memorabilia on display, including original Oasis, The Verve, Inspiral Carpets art and more – all courtesy of Microdot.
Set up as part of the city’s own BRITs celebrations, along with a raft of other nationwide festivities, as the annual music award ceremony prepares to make its Manc debut at the Co-op Live this month, the showcase features special edition frames and more, all pride of place in the middle of the train station.
This collection, simply entitled ‘A Microdot Design’, is all done by the legendary Brian Cannon, the graphic designer and art director behind so much recognisable visual material within the genre.
We recently had the honour of speaking to the man himself in person ahead of Piccadilly’s temporary closure; you can see our interview with him right here:
The Wigan-born artist and visionary didn’t just make promotional materials for some of the biggest bands in the 1990s; he’s responsible for what has gone on to become some of the most familiar iconography in British music history.
With this pop-up exhibit available for a limited time only, we strongly urge you to go along and, for once, take your time rather than rushing around the station as you peruse the boards placed right near the main entrance.
Charting his work from circa 1990 up until now, it’s crazy to see just how many of Brian and Microdot’s fingerprints are all over so many different bands and artists.
From native names like Oasis, The Verve and the Inspirals, as mentioned, as well as the likes of Cast, Super Furry Animals, Suede and Ash, plus so many more, this guy has been nothing short of prolific over the past few decades.
Audio North took a little tour of the King Street South unit last year in the lead-up to Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour, and we felt like kids in a Britpop sweetshop.
While this site has sadly since closed, shutting up shop back in July, Brian’s mini, modest, but nevertheless magic Microdot Boutique up in the Lake District is still standing.
Located in the popular North West town and tourist attraction, Kendal, it’s worth a trip there to see more of his portfolio alone.
Currently on display at Manchester Piccadilly ahead of the full 2026 BRITs Week and shindig at Co-op Live, it’s one of the best completely free things you can do in town at the moment – but the exhibition finishes on Sunday, 1 March, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Speaking of the BRIT Awards, if you’re wondering what else is on as 0161 gets ready welcome them for their two-year stint (at least), look no further…
Daisy Jackson -
30th March 2022 
