Heartfelt tributes at funeral of Bolton pop star Tom Parker from The Wanted

The service took place at St Francis of Assisi church in Queensway, Petts Wood, in south-east London.

His widow, Kelsey Parker, paid tribute to her “soulmate” at the service in a pre-recorded message, sharing anecdotes about the pair first meeting at a nightclub before The Wanted shot to fame.

She added: “From that moment I told everyone I wanted to marry Tom Parker.”

Tom's bandmates attended to show their support for him. (PA)

The congregation erupted into laughter as she said: “Tom told me he was going to be famous and wouldn’t have time for a girlfriend, but he wouldn’t leave me alone.

“I will treasure every memory because life with you was never dull."

Tom’s bandmate, Max George, was another to pay tribute at the funeral.

He said: “Tom was always a brother, he made such an impact from the start. His love for music and striving for success outmatched all of us.

Fans attended to pay their respects for the late Bolton pop star. (PA)

“He has left us far too early and we will miss him so much. The people outside, the people all around the world, is a credit to him. Rest easy mate.”

Siva Kaneswaran, meanwhile, hailed Parker’s “big Boltonian heart” before adding: “He was never afraid to stand up for what was right, no matter the risk.”

All four members of The Wanted, Max George, Jay McGuiness, Siva Kaneswaran and Nathan Sykes, served as pallbearers at the funeral.The procession arrived at the church on Wednesday morning. (PA)

The singer died last month at the age of 33, surrounded by his family and bandmates, 17 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Parker disclosed in October 2020 that he had been diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma and had begun radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Despite his diagnosis, in the weeks before his death he had performed on stage with his bandmates as part of their much-delayed reunion tour.