Two years after ‘The Wanted’ star’s death, Tom Parker’s widow Kelsey hits back at haters
Two years following the death of The Wanted star, Tom Parker, Kelsey, the widow of the actor, has responded to trolls by going public with her new partner Will.
The 33-year-old mother of two described how the late musician would ‘wish me to be happy’ when she removed her wedding ring and started receiving horrible comments.
Kelsey uploaded a picture of her new companion to Instagram earlier this week, merely adding a heart symbol as a message.
In March 2022, Kelsey lost her husband Tom, who was most known for being a member of The Wanted, to brain cancer at the age of 33. As a result, she became a widow.
She disclosed two years later that she had reconnected with her partner, a tree surgeon, whom she had met while organizing fundraisers in memory of her late spouse.
Excerpted from Kelsey Parker’s recently published book, With and Without You (published by The Sun), Kelsey shared her reflections on overcoming bereavement and rediscovering love.
«I’ve reached a point in my grieving process where I’ve let that guilt go,» she said in her explanation. Tom would want the best for me.
After her husband passed away in March of the previous year, Kelsey started seeing electrician Sean Boggans in November 2022. Despite their sporadic connection, they eventually dissolved their relationship in December 2023.
«At that point in my healing journey, I needed someone to give me what my family and friends couldn’t—I craved company in the evenings—but, more than anything, I didn’t want to be treated like a widow,» she added, speaking about her time with Sean.When I made the decision to remove my wedding ring earlier this year, the trolling resumed. It hurt too much for me to look at my ring every day, so I removed it. It’s not like I’m losing track of Tom.
On June 16, Father’s Day, there was a Tom Parker Charity Football Match. It’s unclear if she met Will, her new lover, at that time.
Weeks before she disclosed her new relationship, Kelsey said last year that she had faith her late husband Parker would «send the right man for her.»
Kelsey revealed in a June interview with OK! Magazine that she is confident Parker will «send the right man for her.»
‘When it’s meant to be, it will be, and I think Tom will send that person,’ she stated. He’s choosing them on my behalf.
She continued, describing her feelings on her now-ex Boggans, whom she dated after Parker passed away: «I believe he sent Sean for a purpose.» Sean was fantastic and just what I needed at the moment.
I promise never to speak poorly of him. However, I have to put my attention on my work and supporting my family right now.
Over the weekend, Kelsey posted a picture of herself cuddling with her new companion on Instagram. The two embraced, and Kelsey only included a heart emoji as a caption. She seemed happy.
While Kelsey refrained from disclosing any specifics about her new partner, her famous pals sent her a number of encouraging comments.
«Sean still really liked Kelsey and pursued her, but they broke up around the anniversary of Tom’s death,» a source told The Sun. «Kelsey’s head was all over the place at that time and she had a wobble.»
They reconciled after a few weeks of communication because she was unable to deny her affections for him. Although it has been extremely difficult for them, she still wants to try.
After a violent altercation with Shaun McDermott, 44, over a taxi outside the Havering Oak pub in Romford, Essex, Sean was sentenced to prison.
He got into a fight with Shaun, who got knocked to the ground during the scuffle, while he was waiting for his ex-girlfriend to come get him. Later, the electrician was seen leaving the area on CCTV footage.
At around one in the morning, cops found Shaun unconscious and bleeding from his brain on the pavement. After a postmortem revealed that he had suffered head injuries, a judge at the Old Bailey sentenced Boggans to four years in prison.Even though Kelsey was able to find happiness once more, she struggled to cope and was constantly bombarded with nasty messages accusing her of not «grieving properly.»
«When you’ve lost someone you love so much, it proves to you that you’ve only got one life,» Kelsey said in response to trolls in an interview with The Daily Star.Tom would want the best for me. You should make the most of the one life you have. It is what he has imparted to us.
In terms of dating once more, what connection does it have to other people? I believe that you should pursue whatever brings you happiness in life.
The proper way to grieve is so stigmatized. Some believe you should be a walking widow, wear all black, and cover your face with a veil. Nevertheless, that is untrue. I have children to take care of, and I’m still young.
«I’m telling people not to worry about how they’re grieving because there is no right or wrong way to do it,» as there is no manual for grieving.
One minute you can be grinning, and the next you might be overcome with emotion. There are no right or wrong answers.
Prior to his passing, Kelsey claimed her late husband would be «happy» if she fell in love once more.
She spent about 13 years in a relationship with Parker. In 2016, they declared their engagement, and in 2018, they tied the knot in a charming ceremony in Surrey.
In October 2020, Parker’s glioblastoma was identified as stage 4, and medical professionals gave him a 12-month prognosis.
Eleven months after the diagnosis, in September 2021, Parker performed at the Royal Albert Hall for the Stand Up 2 Cancer event. After the tumor was determined to be «stable» in November, he and his bandmates even went on a Greatest Hits tour.
However, a close family friend disclosed today that Parker passed away in March 2022 after his health quickly declined after the trip ended.
In addition to providing an update on her personal life, Kelsey is concentrating on her career as she has been revealed as one of the parenting authorities who will speak at The Baby Show, presented by Lidl GB, the biggest and most popular maternity and baby event in the UK.
From Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27, at Olympia Events (previously Olympia London), she will be joining a number of well-known celebrities who will be discussing their parenting experiences.
On that day, Kelsey will be hosting Mum’s the Word! Q&A with Georgia Jones, in which they will speak with Sian Welby of This Morning.
Other intriguing information about the lineup includes a Q&A with Olympian Amber Rutter, moderated by Melinda Nicci of Baby2Body, and a Dads Panel with Simon Webbe of Blue and Ashley Glazebrook of Britain’s Got Talent, led by Nigel Clarke of CBeebies.
Olivia Bowen, star of Love Island, will also be performing live.
