Tom Parker (singer)
Tom Parker (born 4 August 1988)[1] is an English singer best known for being a member of the British-Irish boy band the Wanted.[2]
Tom Parker | |
|---|---|
 Parker in 2012 | |
| Born | 4 August 1988 Bolton |
| Occupation | Singer/Producer/Engineer |
| Spouse(s) | Kelsey Hardwick (m. 2018) |
| Children | 2 |
| Musical career | |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Associated acts | The Wanted |
Career
Parker grew up in Bolton, England.[3] He learned to play the guitar at the age of sixteen after trying out his older brother's guitar. He then went on to audition for The X Factor, but did not get past the first round. He went to Manchester Metropolitan University and studied Geography, but dropped out in pursuit of a professional singing career.[4] Parker joined a Take That tribute band known as Take That II and toured Northern England, before joining the Wanted in 2009.[5]
As a member of the boyband the Wanted, Parker has achieved 10 UK top 10 singles and has released 3 UK top 10 albums. The band also achieved widespread international success and has sold over 10 million records.
Parker is also an avid DJ, and collaborated with Richard Rawson on a track called "Fireflies", which was released in August 2014. In May 2015, he was confirmed to take part in the UK version of Celebrity Masterchef.[6][7] He was eliminated during the semi-finals of the competition. In October 2015, Parker released a solo single titled "Undiscovered" along with his own website and tour dates. In February 2016, it was confirmed that he was to replace Tina Hobley on the Channel 4 show The Jump after she fell on her arm and dislocated her elbow. He eventually finished third in the series.[8]
In 2017, Parker was cast in the UK tour of Grease as Danny Zuko.[9][10]
Personal life
Parker married Kelsey Hardwick in 2018.[11] They have a daughter born in 2019,[12] Their second child was born 26 October 2020.[13]
On 12 October 2020, Parker announced that he had been diagnosed with an inoperable stage 4 glioblastoma. He suffered a seizure in July and was put on the waiting list for an MRI, later suffering a seizure on a family trip.[12]
On 7 January 2021, Parker posted to Instagram that his tumour had been "significantly reduced" and that he was continuing his treatment.
References
- O'Kane, Caitlin (12 October 2020). "The Wanted's Tom Parker diagnosed with inoperable brain tumor at 32 years old". CBS News. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- The Wanted announce split to take time ‘to pursue personal endeavours’, Hellomagazine.com
- "The Wanted have a scream at Manchester show". The Bolton News. UK.
- "Alastair Campbell in a spin as charity match turns ugly". The Daily Telegraph. London. 5 June 2011.
- "Who are the members of "take that 2"". Kgbanswers.co.uk.
- "Celebrity MasterChef 2015: full list of contestants revealed". London Evening Standard. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- Tom Parker shares his relationship secrets and hopes for Celebrity Masterchef with HELLO!, Hellomagazine.com
- Bennion, Chris (March 16, 2017). "The Jump: Ben Cohen beats favourite Tom Parker to win the final - plus other talking points". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
- "Tom Parker on making his stage debut in Manchester, and getting The Wanted back together". Manchester Evening News. Trinity Mirror. March 11, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
- The Wanted's Tom Parker to put wedding on hold for Grease musical tour, Hellomagazine.com
- "The Wanted wedding! Boyband star Tom Parker marries Kelsey Hardwick - pictures". Manchester Evening News. July 28, 2018.
- Savage, Mark (12 October 2020). "The Wanted star diagnosed with brain tumour". BBC News. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- "The Wanted's Tom Parker becomes father for second time after brain tumour diagnosis". BBC News. 17 October 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.