Kelsey Parker, widow of The Wanted singer Tom Parker, publicly addressed an online troll who criticized her for still speaking about her late husband. The incident occurred as Parker and other bandmates marked what would have been Tom Parker's 37th "heavenly birthday."
Parker shared a private message she received, which urged her to "move on and stop thinking" about her deceased husband, stating that her current partner, Will Lindsay, and their new "rainbow baby" should be her focus. The troll suggested that Parker's continued remembrance of Tom was "a kick in the teeth" to her new partner.
In her response, shared on social media, Parker clarified the nature of her grief. "Tom wasn't my ex-husband. He was my husband, and he died. There is a huge difference," she wrote. "Loving someone who has died doesn't stop because you're in a new relationship. Grief isn't something you 'move on' from or switch off. You learn to carry it alongside the life you continue to build."
She explained that her partner, Will Lindsay, understands this perspective, noting that he also lost his father at a young age and continues to remember him. "I would never expect him to stop talking about his dad, and he would never expect me to stop talking about Tom," Parker stated, emphasizing that her past, present, and future can coexist.
Tom Parker, known for his role in the boy band The Wanted, died on March 30, 2022, at the age of 33 following a battle with an inoperable brain tumor. He and Kelsey Parker had two children, Aurelia and Bodhi. Parker later found love again with Will Lindsay and is expecting their child, a "rainbow baby," after experiencing a stillbirth in June 2025.
Several tributes were shared on social media to mark Tom Parker's birthday. His bandmate Nathan Sykes posted a tribute, recalling a shared memory and wishing him a happy birthday. Siva Kaneswaran also shared a simple "Happy birthday brother." Actor and singer Darren Day posted an emotional tribute, calling Parker a "beautiful boy" and stating that he felt "paternal" towards him. Day added that Parker was taken "too soon" and that he often thinks of him.
