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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Kids can now travel on Greater Manchester buses for FREE all summer long
Emily Sergeant
Young people across Greater Manchester will benefit from unlimited free bus travel this summer.
As part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings campaign – which was announced back in May – Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has revealed that all children aged five to 15 can travel for free in England, including on Bee Network bus services, during the school summer holidays throughout August.
Not only that, but 16-year-olds will be able to activate their ‘Our Pass’ one month earlier (from 1 August instead of 1 September), giving them an extra month of free bus and cheaper tram travel.
The move means that all young people in Greater Manchester will be entitled to free bus travel for the whole month.
Children under five already get to travel for free on the Bee Network all year round.
From 1-31 August, children aged 5-15 can travel FREE on all #BeeNetwork buses across Greater Manchester as part of the government’s Great British Savings scheme.
And if you’re turning 16? You can activate your @OurPassGM a month early from 1 August, unlocking free bus travel and… pic.twitter.com/BM9vIEnNfH
The Great British Summer Savings scheme has introduced a temporary reduced rate of VAT – down from 20% to 5% – on things like travel, children’s meals in restaurants, and family leisure activities over the summer period.
The Government says the aim of the initiative is to make family days out more affordable, while also supporting businesses through increased footfall.
No registration or sign-up is required to benefit from the Summer Savings scheme on the Bee Network, TfGM confirmed, with anyone aged between five and 15 instructed to just ask the driver for a free ticket as they board the bus.
“We’re pleased to be taking part in the Greater British Summer Savings scheme which will mean free bus travel on the Bee Network for everyone aged five to 15 in August,” commented Fran Wilkinson, who is the Customer and Growth Director at TfGM.
“This will help make days out more affordable for families this summer.
“The Bee Network is all about making it easier and more affordable to get around Greater Manchester and this national scheme will help us do just that.”
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Andy Burnham announces ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system
Emily Sergeant
The Prime Minister will unveil a fundamental change to the education system today with the launch of new prestigious technical educational routes.
Andy Burnham says he is ‘determined’ to put technical education on an equal footing with the traditional academic path to ensure there are no so-called ‘dead ends’ for young people coming out of the education system by providing them high-quality alternative routes that are valued and respected by students, parents, and employers alike.
The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with ‘valuable’ early access to technical skills, work experience, and connections with local employers.
Building on successful local initiatives – such as the MBacc, launched by Andy Burnham here in Greater Manchester when he was Mayor – the new technical routes will mean young people can develop the technical knowledge and skills needed to progress in areas like engineering, healthcare, and digital technology.
It will aim to ‘skill them up’ with the specific knowledge and capabilities that local employers need.
Andy Burnham has announced ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system / Credit: MChe Lee (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons
So, how will it all work then? Well, when students enter Year 10, they will have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, Maths, and Science – with a high-quality technical education that’s linked to the jobs available in their area.
During these courses, students will be able to spend time with employers and gain valuable real-world experience.
Regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges, and employers will work together to shape these new technical education pathways, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system.
To support this, the Government says it will prioritise funding towards high-quality technical education and practical routes into work, and will also change the way school performance is measured so that inspectors recognise the schools support young people to develop the skills, experience, and confidence employers want.
This way, no matter whether young people choose university, an apprenticeship, further education, or direct entry into a skilled profession, they will able to see a clear route from education into employment.
“For too long in this country, students have been told that you must take the academic path to do well and to be respected,” explained Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“The whole school system has been built around it and that has let down young people seeking technical qualifications.
Daisy Jackson -
30th March 2022 
