The Wanted singer Tom Parker reveals he has an inoperable brain tumor and is undergoing treatment
- Tom Parker, who rose to fame as a member of the British-Irish group The Wanted, revealed on Monday that he has an inoperable brain tumor.
- The 32-year-old singer shared the news in an Instagram post, writing that he's "already undergoing treatment."
- The musician also spoke more about his diagnosis in OK! Magazine UK, revealing he was hospitalized over the summer after suffering two seizures.
- The news comes as Parker and his wife are expecting their second child together, a son.
The Wanted singer Tom Parker revealed Monday that he's been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and is currently undergoing treatment.
The 32-year-old musician shared the news in an Instagram post Monday, next to a photo of himself with wife Kelsey Parker and their daughter, Aurelia.
Parker wrote in a caption that he initially wanted to keep his diagnosis private.
"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," he added, referencing an interview he did with OK! Magazine UK.
"We are all absolutely devastated, but we are gonna fight this all the way. We don't want your sadness, we just want love and positivity and together we will raise awareness of this terrible disease and look for all available treatment options," the musician wrote. "It's gonna be a tough battle, but with everyone's love and support we are going to beat this."
In a new interview with OK!, Parker revealed even more details about his battle, saying that he was hospitalized over the summer after having two seizures.
"I was in shock," Parker said of the day the doctors told him about his tumor. "It's stage four glioblastoma and they've said it's terminal. It was a lot to deal with by myself. I still haven't processed it."
Parker's friends and followers sent their well wishes to the singer after seeing his Instagram post.
Fellow Wanted singer Jay McGuiness wrote: "You've always been one in a million. I love you Tom, let's get popping ." Band member Max George commented: "You will beat this mate. You're TOM PARKER. ❤️You."
The Wanted singer Nathan Sykes shared an Instagram post saying, "there are simply no words.
"It's just the most unbelievably cruel situation," he said. "However, Tom will attack this with the same vigor that he has with everything he has ever set his mind to."
One Direction member Liam Payne wrote, "Sending you love in this really tough time ❤️❤️," while actor Mark Wahlberg shared a heart emoji and two praying hands emojis.
Parker rose to fame as a member of the British-Irish group The Wanted, which was formed in 2009. The band was comprised of Parker, George, McGuiness, Sykes, and Siva Kaneswaran.
Their self-titled debut album was released in 2010, comprised of hit songs such as "All Time Low" and "Lose My Mind."
It wasn't until "Glad You Came," which appeared on their 2011 sophomore album "Battleground," that the group garnered attention in the US. The track peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and debuted at No. 1 in Ireland.
The Wanted went on to win the People's Choice Award for favorite breakout artist in 2013 and landed a reality TV show on E! called "The Wanted Life," which lasted for one season.
Their third album, "Word of Mouth," was released in 2013 and featured hit songs such as "I Found You," "We Own the Night," and "Chasing the Sun."
The band announced their hiatus in 2014 after their Word of Mouth tour, as the members geared up to "pursue personal endeavors."
The singer would go on to appear on shows like the UK's "Celebrity Masterchef" and the show, "The Jump." He also dabbled in DJing and released a track called "Undiscovered."
Parker and longtime girlfriend Kelsey Parker got married in summer 2018. Their first child, daughter Aurelia Rose Parker, was born in June 2019.
In May 2020, the couple announced that they're expecting their second child. The following month, the Parkers revealed that baby No. 2 will be a boy.