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 ITVreality 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.
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.
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“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.
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Tom’s widow Kelsey cheered Siva and Klabera on from the audience.
Dancing On Ice viewers left in tears at tribute to late The Wanted star Tom Parker / Credit: Matt Frost (via ITV)
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.
Siva and Klabera sadly did not make it through to the Dancing On Ice final next week.
Featured Image – Matt Frost (via ITV)
TV & Showbiz
Fairfield Social Club has been voted the Best Comedy Venue in the North
Danny Jones
Let’s toast another feather in Greater Manchester’s cultural cap as local arts venue, bar and hangout, Fairfield Social Club (FSC), has been named the Best Comedy Venue in the North.
That’s according to the much-revered annual Chortle Awards, the 2026 edition of which has named Fairfield not just one of the best in our specific city or region, but currently the benchmark for any live comedy spot located in the top half of the country.
And that’s not all: they actually took home another award this year, because why just win one when you can take home two?
For starters, congratulations are in order, and we couldn’t be prouder of our grassroots Manc venues continuing to set the bar; now let’s get into exactly what they won and why…
In addition to taking home the accolade for leading their field when it comes to hosting live comics and more, having quickly built up a strong reputation in the industry beyond just the North West, FSC also claimed a second gong, thanks to ‘CroppaChoppa’s Slumber Party‘.
The resident stand-up and sleepover games format show, which has been based over at the Green Quarter complex for some time now, just won Best New Comedy Format for the second year running.
Reacting to the consecutive awards, founder Charlotte Cropper said: “We are so thrilled to have won Best Comedy Format two years in a row! Lying our sleepover bag down at Fairfield Social Club is our favourite thing to do every month.
“Who knew a sleepover show with a misogynistic teddy bear mascot would become the best night of our lives?”
This, of course, is just one of many regular comedy-centric events happening throughout the FSC calendar – and you really should going along if you haven’t before.
Speaking on an incredible year all-round, Fairfield Social Club’s GM and live bookings manager, Jessie Perillo, added: “We’ve spent the last year building a comedy programme we’re really proud of; it’s one that supports emerging talent while also attracting some of the biggest names touring right now.
“To have both the venue and the shows recognised nationally is a dream and as a comedy lover myself, I couldn’t be happier!
“We’ve got some incredible new shows lined up over the next few months that we can’t wait to announce, and launching ‘A Lovely Weekend’ is just the beginning of what’s to come.”
Congrats again and well done to all those involved in helping keep Manchester-based humour and live arts on the comedy map; we can’t wait to see what else in store for 2026. Speaking of…
Featured Images — Press shots/Em Humble (supplied via Fairfield Social Club)
TV & Showbiz
The Oldham Man and The Sea: the documentary about the Latics owner’s record-breaking Atlantic voyage
Danny Jones
It doesn’t matter if you’re not an Athletic fan or native to the borough; we think everyone should go along to watch the much-anticipated documentary about football club owner Frank Rothwell and his record-breaking journey across the Atlantic Ocean: The Oldham Man And The Sea.
One of the simplest and most satisfying names for a film we’ve heard in a long time.
For anyone who doesn’t know about the Oldham Athletic FC chairman turned OBE’s incredible story, Frank Rothwell has set multiple records with his impressive sea-faring feats in recent times.
This new doc, which just premiered at this year’s Manchester Film Festival, charts his latest trip across one of the biggest bodies of water on the planet in March 2024.
As you can see from the recent trailer, it’s almost as arduous a tale as the original Hemingway story.
This movie – produced by Journeyman Pictures and Chief Productions – made its full debut at the Odeon in Great Northern Warehouse for MFF 2026, and is set to have a number of other screenings in and around Greater Manchester in the coming weeks and months.
One of those is happening rather soon, in fact, over at Saddleworth’s Millgate Arts Centre on Saturday, 28 March, which is ideal for those local to the region; grab your tickets now.
ln fact, there’s also one happening even closer to his hometown the following month, with Oldham’s very own Queen Elizabeth Hall also hosting a special screening of Rothwell’s incredible achievement.
You can reserve your seats for that one right HERE.
Having not only become the eldest (70) Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge finisher back in 2021, but now holding the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to ever complete the crossing while rowing solo at 73 years old, he’s become nothing short of a local hero – and that’s just his stewardship of the Latics…
The film does, obviously, touch on his time at the helm of the League Two side, who finally returned to the EFL last June, but the heart and soul of this inspiring watch is the sail itself.
More importantly, it also documents not just the gruelling nature of the 64-day, seven-hour and 53-minute trek, but also how Frank has now helped raise more than £1.4 million on behalf of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
What an absolute icon.
Hopefully, this should be just about all the reason you need to watch The Oldham Man And The Sea the very next opportunity you get to do so – and, of course, all proceeds from ticket sales will also be going to charity, because just the kind of bloke he is.
And here’s hoping we get a streaming version sometime soon.
Emily Sergeant -
6th March 2023 
