TV & Showbiz

Dancing On Ice viewers in tears after Siva Kaneswaran pays tribute to late The Wanted bandmate Tom Parker

"I'm an emotional wreck."

Emily Sergeant - 6th March 2023

Dancing On Ice viewers have been left in tears after a touching tribute was paid to Tom Parker on last night’s show.

As fans of the popular ITV reality show will know, Siva Kaneswaran – who has been a member of boyband The Wanted since 2009 – is currently a contestant in this year’s competition, and for last night’s show, he laced up his skates and took to the ice with the important task of paying tribute to his late bandmate and best mate, Tom Parker.

Tom Parker sadly passed away aged 33 on 30 March 2022.

The Bolton-born singer was diagnosed with an inoperable terminal brain tumour known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) back in October 2020, and underwent a number of treatments in an attempt to prolong his life, before he passed away peacefully with his family, loved ones, and bandmates by his side.

With it nearing the first anniversary since Tom’s devastating passing, Siva and his professional skating partner Klabera performed an emotional routine in his memory.

The couple chose The Wanted’s hugely-popular 2012 single ‘Gold Forever’ to perform their touching tribute to – which is a song that’s taken on a new life since Tom’s passing, and is one fans often associate with the late star after it was played at his funeral.

The band also famously re-released the song in Tom’s memory in April last year, with all proceeds going to The Brain Tumour Charity.

“I can’t even try to find the words about how I feel about him not being around,” Siva explained in the VT ahead of the skate, “Tom sings the first line of the song so obviously it’s going to be very hard hearing his voice.”

“I learnt from being around Tom to use the difficulty and make something positive,” he added.

The skate was praised by judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo, and Oti Mabuse, with the couple earning a top score of 36 for their performance.

Tom’s widow Kelsey cheered Siva and Klabera on from the audience.

After the emotional performance, viewers were left in tears and took to social media in their thousands to share their thoughts – with fellow supportive The Wanted member Jay McGuinness writing on Twitter: “The tears are flowing and we are all so proud of our boy. What a special moment, in tribute of the most special guy.”

Another fan wrote on Twitter: “Absolutely stunning, a beautiful tribute to Tom.”

“I am a wreck from this performance,” a third added, while a fourth fan said: “That performance was SO emotional. I commend them for holding it together and I too believe someone was looking down. When Tom’s face came up on screen at the end, I could feel your pain.”

“That was absolutely beautiful to watch. And very emotional. I think Tom would be very proud of that wonderful performance,” another fan wrote.

Read more:

• Tom Parker posthumously nominated for National Television Award for brain tumour documentary
• Tom Parker’s wife raises over £40,000 and counting for charity with fund set up in his memory
• Ken Bruce says emotional final farewell as he leaves BBC Radio 2 after 31 years

Siva and Klabera sadly did not make it through to the Dancing On Ice final next week.

Featured Image – Matt Frost (via ITV)