Tom Parker’s coffin was carried by his colleagues at The Wanted to his funeral, where they said they “missed it so much.”
Jay McGuinness, Max George, Gray Kaneshwaran and Nathan Sykes served as graves as the Oasis Champagne Supernova was released to fans gathered in front of St Francis of Assisi Church in south-east London.
Parker’s widow, Kelsey, whom he married in 2018, was leading a procession of three black horses through Pats Wood on Wednesday morning as hundreds of fans lined the streets for the pre-service procession in Queensway.
Image: Kelsey Parker at her husband Tom’s funeral Image: Flower Tribute to the Church, titled Glad to Come After The Wanted’s hit song
Parker, 33, died in March, 17 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.
“Life with you has never been boring”
During the service, in a pre-recorded message, Ms. Parker shared anecdotes about how the couple first met at a nightclub before he shot fame.
She said: “I will keep every memory, because life with you has never been boring.”
Image: (LR) Members of The Wanted Max George, Jay McGuiness, Siva Kaneswaran and Nathan Sykes (partially hidden) arrive for the funeral Image: A bow with the word “father” is offered at St. Francis of Assisi Church
Ms. Parker added that the star was her “soul mate” and that marrying him “was the best day of my life.”
Addressing the flock, George said he would always remember the singer’s laughter.
“He left us too early and we will miss him so much. People outside, people all over the world, he is honored. Calm down, my friend,” he added.
Flowers that spelled the words Glad to Come, the title of The Wanted’s 2011 hit, were also seen in front of the church.
Image: Mourners outside the funeral pay tribute Image: Liam Payne of One Direction also attends Parker’s funeral
Ms. Parker invited fans to gather to watch the service outside on big screens while close friends and family attended the funeral.
Liam Payne of One Direction received a standing ovation from fans in front of the church.
Fans dressed in black gathered in the main street to pay their respects before falling silent when his coffin was placed in the horse-drawn carriage.
Image: Parker revealed in October 2020 that he was diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma. Image: Order of the Parker Funeral Home in Queensway, Pets Wood Image: Mourners in front of St. Francis of Assisi Church before the funeral
“I can’t believe he’s gone,” fans say
Super fan Stephanie Marek, 29, flew in from Austria on Tuesday to witness the funeral procession.
She said she “can’t believe she’s gone” and thought she would “come out here and pay her respects and offer my condolences.”
“They’ve all become very dear to me, and now that Tom’s gone physically, it’s really hit hard because you didn’t expect it to happen so soon, especially at 33,” she added.
Image: Wanted fan Saskia Masaun lights a candle for the star
“He was my childhood really”
Receptionist Chloe Maine, 25, of Plumstead, who claims to be the late singer’s “super fan,” said the day he died “hit me hard.”
Ms Maine said she was 15 when she became a fan of the British-Irish Boys’ Band and attended about 25 of their concerts, adding: “He really was my childhood.”
Saskia Masawn, 20, of Wolverhampton, told Sky News that she had placed Mrs. Parker in a healing prayer book at a local spiritualist church and lit a candle for the star.
Steve Barney, who drummed for the band during their early tours and festivals, said Tom Parker had “such a driving force, both on and off stage.”
He posted photos of the singer on stage, adding that he thought of Mrs. Parker and their children on the day of the funeral.
Wanted fan Donna Waring told Sky News that everyone would miss “so much” and shared a photo of herself and Parker from a 2010 concert.
Image: Parker (left) and Donna Wering in 2010
Parker revealed in October 2020 that he was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma and began radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
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