Tom Parker will reportedly feature in Saturday night’s pre-recorded Celebrity Pointless as the BBC pay tribute to The Wanted singer, who passed away this week following a battle with brain cancer aged 33.
The broadcaster has changed its planned schedule to air the episode starring the late hitmaker and his bandmate Max George weeks earlier than planned.
The duo joined forces on the fan-favourite quiz show in a bid to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity and Brain Research UK.
Tribute: Tom Parker will feature in Saturday night’s pre-recorded Celebrity Pointless as the BBC pay tribute to The Wanted singer, who passed away this week following a battle with brain cancer aged 33 (Tom pictured in December 2021)
The All Time Low hitmakers faced competition from the other stars on the show – Kimberley Nixon and Greg McHugh, Dom Joly and Ria Lina, Dominic Holland and Ninia Benjamin.
Tom’s episode was slated for next year but the BBC brought it forward to commemorate him, a decision wholeheartedly supported by his family, reports The Sun.
The episode will replace the previously planned edition of the show and will air at 7.50pm on Saturday 2 April.
The Wanted star was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in October 2020, and was given just 12 months to live by doctors.
Touching: The broadcaster has changed its schedule to air the episode starring the late hitmaker and his bandmate Max George (pictured March 12 2022)
He passed away on Wednesday, surrounded by family and his fellow bandmates as he listened to the Oasis song Live Forever.
A close friend told The Sun: ‘You might have thought Tom would opt for something by The Wanted but Oasis’ Live Forever sums him up perfectly – he was a rockstar and that’s how he wants to be remembered.’
In September 2021, 11 months on from his diagnosis, Tom sang at the Stand Up 2 Cancer show at the Royal Albert Hall and even embarked on a Greatest Hits tour with his bandmates when the tumour was confirmed as ‘stable’ in November.
Rest in peace: Tom passed away on Wednesday, surrounded by family and his fellow bandmates as he listened to the Oasis song Live Forever
But Tom’s condition deteriorated rapidly once the tour came to an end earlier this year.
‘Tom loved touring – he was an absolute rockstar and determined to join the boys on stage. He was enjoying playing two songs a night and was doing well performing but it really took it out of him,’ the source told The Sun.
‘We all noticed how quickly Tom deteriorated during the tour but he had no regrets – he really wanted to do it.’
Update: The tragic news was confirmed by his wife Kelsey, 32, whom he leaves behind along with their two children, Aurelia, two, and Bodhi, one (Kelsey’s Instagram post pictured)
The tragic news of his death was confirmed by his wife Kelsey, 32, who he leaves behind along with their two children, Aurelia, two, and Bodhi, one.
Kelsey said: ‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side.
‘Our hearts are broken. Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence.
A statement posted on the band’s official Instagram account read: ‘The whole Wanted family are devastated by the tragic and premature loss of our bandmate Tom Parker’ (back row, left – right) Siva Kaneswaran, Tom , Jay McGuiness, (front row, left- right) Max, Nathan Sykes
‘We are truly thankful for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom’s light continues to shine for his beautiful children.’
She went on to thank everyone who has cared for Tom during his illness, adding that he fought the disease until the very end.
A statement posted on the band’s official Instagram account read: ‘The whole Wanted family are devastated by the tragic and premature loss of our bandmate Tom Parker, who passed away peacefully at lunchtime today surrounded by his family and his band mates.
Love: Kelsey thanked everyone who has cared for Tom during his illness, adding that he fought the disease until the very end (pictured at the Royal Albert Hall in London in November 2016)
‘Tom was an amazing husband to Kelsey, and father to Aurelia and Bodhi. He was our brother, words can’t express the loss and sadness we feel. Always and forever in our hearts.’
Kelsey reposted a string of tributes from friends on her Instagram Stories in the hours after her husband’s death, including many which referred to the devoted couple as ‘soulmates.’
She commented on a number of the reposts including one from actress Michelle Keegan, who was previously engaged to Tom’s bandmate Max George.
Soul mates: Kelsey commented on a number of the reposts including one from actress Michelle Keegan (left), who was previously engaged to Tom’s bandmate Max George, which called the couple ‘soul mates’
Declaration: On another post shared by a friend about the cheeky voice notes Tom would leave his loved ones, Kelsey wrote: ‘This is Tom Parker everyone. He changed so many lives in such a small amount of time. Tom Parker I f**king love you’
Michelle wrote that she was ‘absolutely heartbroken for Kelsey,’ adding that it ‘was an honour to witness first hand their love, they really are the true definition of soul mates.’ Kelsey wrote in reply: ‘Love you. You knew how our love was so pure and honest, soul mates until the end’.
On another post shared by a friend about the cheeky voice notes Tom would leave his loved ones, Kelsey wrote: ‘This is Tom Parker everyone. He changed so many lives in such a small amount of time. Tom Parker I f**king love you. Such a legend. Just the fact that he would send messages like this… I mean can you imagine the messages I got.’
The 33-year-old singer’s death comes just one week after he revealed he was in the process of writing a tell-all memoir amid his battle with brain cancer.
Inspiring: The 33-year-old singer’s death comes just one week after he revealed he was in the process of writing a tell-all memoir amid his battle with brain cancer
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk