POP star Tom Parker has spoken of his funding frustrations when it comes to brain tumour research.

The Wanted singer, from Bolton, is living with an inoperable tumour but has reported an upturn in his health recently.

He told a Parliamentary group such conditions kill more people under 40 than any other cancer.

Tom added: "“I’m staggered they can find a cure for COVID within a year but for decades on end, they haven’t found better treatments let alone a cure for brain tumours.

"Why is it taking so long for clinical trials to come through?”

He was diagnosed in October 2020 with a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumour.

This is the most commonly diagnosed high-grade brain tumour in adults, carrying with it a stark prognosis of just 12 to 18 months.

The 33-year-old dad-of-two, married to actress Kelsey Hardwick, said: "My diagnosis came as a complete shock.

"It’s been an interesting journey so far and I’ve experienced moments of real sadness and darkness.

"Some of those low points I attribute to the level of toxicity in the treatment process. It’s truly horrific and disgusting but it was my only choice and I hope it did the job it needed to do.”

Later Hugh Adams, head of stakeholder relations at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Listening to Tom talk (to the group) was a huge privilege.

"He is an articulate, intelligent and passionate man who is advocating for more research into brain tumours and we are very grateful to him."