The Wanted re-release Gold Forever in honour of Tom Parker

The Wanted have released a new version of their 2011 Comic Relief single Gold Forever, in honour of their late bandmate Tom Parker.

Tom died on March 30 aged 33 following a two-year battle with stage 4 glioblastoma and was laid to rest last week.

Gold Forever, the band’s 2011 single, was played at the memorial service as Tom’s coffin was carried out of the church, and now the band have released a stripped-back version of the song in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity.

The Wanted posted the version of the song, titled Gold Forever (For Tom), alongside a tribute video following the funeral last week, and after the hugely positively reaction have decided to release it on streaming services.  

The Wanted, Island Records and the song’s writers and producers will be donating all net proceeds to The Brain Tumour Charity; a UK-based charity dedicated to funding research, raising awareness and providing support and information to people with brain tumours.

On Tuesday night Tom’s widow Kelsey shared a poignant poem about grief as she reflected on one week since her husband’s funeral. 

Tribute: Tom died on March 30 aged 33 following a two-year battle with stage 4 glioblastoma and was laid to rest last week

The 32-year-old shared Donna Ashworth’s I wish I knew which reads: ‘Grief may feel like the dying of the soul, while the body still lives, but you are alive my friend.

‘And they are not, nor do they want you be with them yet.

‘They very much want you to live.

‘Do not fear the grief you feel, it’s just love thrashing around, looking for somewhere to go. So give it somewhere to go.’

Last week, James Argent revealed that Tom was able to stay ‘strong’ during his cancer battle because of Kelsey’s ‘love and support.

Goodbye: Gold Forever, the band’s 2011 single, was played at the memorial service as Tom’s coffin was carried out of the church, and now the band have released a stripped-back version of the song in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity (Tom’s widow Kelsey pictured at the funeral)

Happier times: On Tuesday night Tom’s widow Kelsey shared a poignant poem about grief as she reflected on one week since her husband’s funeral

Poignant: The 32-year-old shared Donna Ashworth’s I wish I knew which reads: ‘Grief may feel like the dying of the soul, while the body still lives, but you are alive my friend’

Former TOWIE star Arg, 34, described Kelsey as The Wanted star’s ‘rock’ as he spoke about his friend on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain.

Speaking to Kate Garraway and Richard Bacon, James explained: ‘Kelsey was like Tom’s rock and the reason why he was so strong and was doing well for so long was because of her hard work, love and support.’

He was a close pal of Tom and his wife, having previously worked with him and performed at the couple’s 2018 stag do. 

James said he asked Kelsey’s permission to appear on the chat show, adding: ‘I checked with Kelsey before I came on today, to make sure she was happy, and she was really keen on me coming on. 

Close bond: Former TOWIE star Arg, 34, described Kelsey as The Wanted star’s ‘rock’ as he spoke about his friend on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain

‘She didn’t want me to just talk about me and Tom’s friendship, just the fact of how much of an incredible person he was and to raise awareness.’ 

The reality TV star, who was speaking one day after Tom’s funeral, described the service as ‘beautiful’ as he said he could feel his friend’s presence there. 

He added: ‘[The funeral] was extremely sad at times – it was tough for everyone, however there were really special beautiful moments throughout the day and it really felt like Tom’s presence was there. It couldn’t have gone any better. The sun was shining.’

‘Good night beautiful boy’: Max George said it was an honour carrying Tom’s coffin in further tribute to his bandmate (pictured at Tom’s funeral this week) 

Tom’s bandmate Max George said it was an honour carrying his friend’s  coffin in a further tribute to his late bandmate.

Max, 33, joined Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes as pallbearers, where they were photographed carrying Tom’s coffin into Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church in Petts Wood last Wednesday. 

Taking to Instagram on Friday evening, Max wrote a poignant message alongside photos from the funeral. 

‘Good night beautiful boy. I will always think of you. Thanks for making my life so much better than I could ever have hoped for. Carrying you was an honour. You have carried me so many times over the last 12 years. I love you Tom. See you up there brother. ❤️’, the post read.

Rest in peace: The Wanted singer was laid to rest on Wednesday

Moving: Max, 33, shared photos of the floral arrangements which read ‘Tom’ and the band’s 2011 hit Glad You Came

‘See you up there brother’: Taking to Instagram on Friday evening, Max wrote a poignant message alongside photos from the funeral