Touching tributes have been pouring in on social media after the news broke yesterday that Tom Parker had tragically died at the age of 33.
The Bolton-born singer – who was known for being one fifth of the popular British boyband, The Wanted, since 2009 – was diagnosed with an inoperable terminal brain tumour known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) back in October 2020, and had since been undergoing a number of treatments in an attempt to prolong his life.
But it was sadly confirmed that he passed away peacefully with his family, loved ones, and bandmates by his side yesterday.
Tom leaves behind his wife Kelsey, and two children – Aurelia, two, and Bodhi, one.
His devastating passing was first announced by his wife Kelsey on Instagram, who said in an emotional tribute: “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. Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end.
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“I’m forever proud of you.”
Tom was diagnosed with a terminal inoperable brain tumour known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) back in October 2020 / Credit: Instagram (@tomparkerofficial)
The Wanted also shared an emotional group tribute on their Instagram account yesterday, which read: “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.”
His bandmate Siva Kaneswaran also shared a personal tribute to Tom on his Instagram, writing: “Hey Tom, hope you’re having a blast up there. I am so grateful that I had a chance to witness your true courage. It has been a pleasure of my life Tommy Boy.
“Thank you for letting us see you light up the world. Talk to you soon and see you later. Love you brother.”
Tom Parker alongside his bandmates in The Wanted / Credit: The Wanted
Aside from tributes paid by family members and bandmates, the news of Tom’s passing shook the world and countless tributes, memories, and messages of support has since been shared by countless famous names and fans of The Wanted on social media.
Fellow British boyband McFly took to Twitter to share a tribute to Tom, saying he was “always so much fun to be around”, as did singer Liam Payne from One Direction.
We are so saddened to hear of the passing of our friend Tom Parker. Tom was always so much fun to be around & we have amazing memories of touring & playing shows with The Wanted. The thoughts of the entire McFly family are with his wife & children, his family, friends & bandmates pic.twitter.com/XGRdAJZA6G
I'm heartbroken to hear about Tom. He was so full of life and humour, and the memories I have of him with stay with me forever. Sending my thoughts out to his family and his brothers in The Wanted ❤️
Connor Ball from boyband The Vamps said on Twitter: “33 is far too young, so much sadness, Rest in peace Tom Parker.”
TV presenter Rylan Clark shared a touching tribute on Twitter: “I’ve just seen the news about Tom and that’s absolutely gutting. He was such a good’un. So sad to hear. Sending my love to Kelsey and the kids. Awful news.”
“Tom Parker, rest in peace my love goes out to all your family and all your friends… Your bravery, your fight and your spirit will never be forgotten,” Martin Kemp said in a Twitter tribute.
Adam Pitts from pop band Lawson said on Twitter: “One of the bravest, most inspirational people I have ever had the joy of knowing. Your attitude ever since your diagnosis has inspired people all around the world and you have raised so much money to help battle this horrible disease.”
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“We all love you Tom Parker,” singer Hrvy said on Twitter.
Tom Parker, rest in peace my love goes out to all your family and all your friends.. your bravery, your fight and your spirit will never be forgotten
The passing of Tom Parker has saddened us greatly. His fight was an inspiration and he changed the lives of everyone he came into contact with. Long may he be remembered for that. With love to all his family and close friends.
Tributes also came flooding in from The Wanted’s fans from across the globe.
One devastated fan said on Twitter: “RIP Tom Parker. My heart majorly goes out to his beautiful wife and children. Never take a single day for granted and never wait to tell somebody you love and care about them. Heartbreaking.”
Another fan wrote: “I saw tom parker literally two weeks ago on stage at The Wanted tour. My last ever memory of him will be seeing him able to spend time doing what he loved with his band mates and fans, where he was happy, and that will stay in my heart forever. I can’t believe this.”
“Tom Parker’s last gift to everyone was to bring the dudes back together so they could see how loved and missed they were,” another fan’s tribute read on Twitter.
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“He is the light that’ll never fade, and will be absolutely missed.”
Another shocked fan wrote on Twitter: “Tom Parker and the boys raised me, half my life has been following and loving them. I don’t have the words and never will to explain how much I’ll miss him and love him always. A rockstar from the very beginning and forever and ever.”
i saw tom parker literally two weeks ago on stage at the wanted tour. my last ever memory of him will be seeing him able to spend time doing what he loved with his band mates and fans, where he was happy, & that will stay in my heart forever. i can’t believe this 💔
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.
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“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.”
Tom Parker with his wife Kelsey, and their two children Aurelia and Bodhi / Credit: Channel 4
Following on from his diagnosis, Tom shared that he had been undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as receiving private treatment on top of NHS care, in best efforts to prolong his life.
In recent months, Tom had bravely shared his journey in a TV special for Stand Up To Cancer, and had also spoken out during an appearance on a new podcast saying that a “massive improvement” is needed in treatment for brain tumours, and that a lack of research funding is part of the issue.
Most recently, Tom underwent a treatment programme in Spain that forced him to miss the first few dates of The Wanted’s recent tour, but he made it out on stage for one last time when The Wanted headlined Manchester’s AO Arena just two weeks ago on 13 March 2022.
Featured Image – ITV
News
Football Manager 25 has been officially cancelled following delays
Danny Jones
Beloved videogame simulator Football Manager 25 has been officially cancelled following continued delays.
The long-standing game where players take control as virtual managers of football teams has been a mainstay of digital sporting entertainment for more than three decades.
Developed by London-based studio Sports Interactive and published by gaming giants SEGA, the game hasn’t missed a single season since it began life as Championship Manager back in 1992.
However, following two significant delays to this year’s title, Sports Interactive have confirmed that Football Manager 25 has now been cancelled, despite countless pre-orders having already been made.
While the news doesn’t come as a total surprise, with FM25 having first been delayed ahead of its initial November 2024 release date and then moved again to March 2025, many fans would
The statement reads: “Sports Interactive [SI] regret to inform that, following extensive internal discussion and careful consideration with SEGA, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Football Manager 25 and shift our focus to the next release.
“For the large numbers of you who pre-ordered FM25, we thank you enormously for your trust and support – we’re very sorry to have let you down. Please see the FAQs below on obtaining your refund.
“We know this will come as a huge disappointment, especially given that the release date has already moved twice, and you have been eagerly anticipating the first gameplay reveal. We can only apologise for the time it has taken to communicate this decision.
“Due to stakeholder compliance, including legal and financial regulations, today was the earliest date that we could issue this statement.”
Insisting that they pride themselves on “delivering the best value for money games that bring you countless hours of enjoyment”, they simply didn’t feel like they were able to release the latest FM title to a good enough standard in its current state following playtesting.
They go on to add that ahead of working on this, the studio undertook the “biggest technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation, laying the building blocks for a new era”, hence why the significant delays. The news has been met with mixed reactions, to say the least.
Don’t worry only gotta wait till November!!! Only in February FFS
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) February 7, 2025
You can read the statement in full HERE, in which they also rationalise that it simply no longer made sense or felt fair to expect people to buy FM25 when it was ready only to purchase the next instalment later in the year.
Fortunately, with regular updates as well as community mods and patches to the current Football Manager (FM24 was released back in November 2023), loyal fans have been more understanding about the delays and now the cancellation.
SI signed off by stating: “Through the cancellation, every effort is now focused on ensuring that our next release achieves our goal and hits the quality level we all expect. We will update you on how we are progressing with that as soon as we are able to do so.
“Thank you for reading, your patience and your continued support. Our full focus now returns to creating a new era for Football Manager.”
Lighting a candle for the people who collect a physical copy of every Football Manager, with no FM25 their collections will be ruined forever. pic.twitter.com/M1S5LiLJtQ
Salford Red Devils confirm new owners after completing takeover
Danny Jones
The takeover of Salford Red Devils has officially been completed with the club revealing their new owners this week.
Confirming a full change of ownership on Friday, 7 February, the Greater Manchester rugby league side has handed over 100% control to an investment bank.
Pending full ratification from the Rugby Football League (RFL), news of the buyout couldn’t have come at a better time as the Red Devils prepare to get their season underway in just a week’s time.
Sharing a lengthy statement on the club site, they informed supporters of the decision “that secures the future of the club.”
The update explains that following extensive talks with stakeholders, the Community Benefit Society (CBS) and Salford City Council, the purchase of the Super League rugby club has been approved.
It has now been revealed that Salford has been taken over by a group of investors led by businessman Dario Berta, a Swiss banking insider, former director of the global UBS financial group and now CEO of Matanel, which specialises in real estate.
The update goes on to detail that Chris Irwin, the former Chief Commercial Officer at Salford Red Devils and more recently Exeter City Football Club, has rejoined the club as the new Chief Executive Officer.
Most importantly for Salford Red Devils, Berta and co.’s first act following the takeover was to clear all of the club’s debts and put forward “additional significant investment for future growth.”
This will be music to fans’ ears, no doubt, especially given the less-than-ideal order handed down by the RFL given the state of Salford’s books and recently enacted financial regulations.
The process of recruiting a new internal management structure is already said to be underway ahead of the final green light to the new owners, though it is understood to be merely a formality at this stage.
CEO Irwin is said to have met with Paul Rowley, Kurt Haggerty and the current men’s first-team squad at the Salford Community Stadium in Eccles on Friday morning ahead of training.
Although squad reinforcement is inevitable as part of the investment, the statement goes on to clarify that “there will be a selection restriction for this weekend’s Challenge Cup Third Round fixture against the Midlands Hurricanes” but will be lifted ahead of their 2025 season opener.
Significant funds will also be allocated towards stadium redevelopment and the wider club infrastructure. New owner Berta went on to state: “This is the start of a very bright and successful future for Salford…
“I’m very proud to be involved, and with Chris at the helm, I feel like we have the perfect opportunity to build something special. Our focus and dedication now is to work together with stakeholders and fans to build sustainable success on and off the pitch for the long term.”
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, added: “I’m very happy to welcome Dario Berta to Salford and look forward to working closely together to see an exciting future for Salford Red Devils, building on the successes of the last five years.”
The Red Devils are set to get their new domestic campaign underway against St Helens in their Super League opener on Saturday, 15 February.
Meanwhile, international rugby has returned to our screens and Manchester city centre has plenty of places to watch every second of the action.