Tom Parker has admitted his world was turned ‘upside down’ after he was told he has a stage four brain tumour.
The Wanted singer, 32, took to Instagram and shared a photo of himself taken just two days before he received his terminal diagnosis of glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer.
Thanking his wife Kelsey Hardwick and their family for the support they have given him, Tom said he has ‘come along way’ since being given the heartbreaking news.
Honest: Tom Parker has admitted his world was turned ‘upside down’ after he was told he has a stage four brain tumour
He wrote: ‘REALITY: Two days after this picture was taken, I was told I had a stage 4 brain tumour. It turned my world upside down.
‘I don’t really remember them earlier days of when I was told. I was living in such a haze. But I’ve come a long way even in such a short space of time. Thank you all for your love and support over the last few months.
‘And again thank you to our friends and family who have really come together and helped wherever needed with the kids and helping with the house. My incredible manager @damiensanders1973 who I drive insane 24/7 has put himself out of his way to help me and kels through this difficult period.’
Tom called his wife a ‘warrior’ as he praised her for looking after their children, daughter Aurelia Rose, 18 months, and son Bodhi, two months, amid his cancer battle.
Couple: Thanking his wife Kelsey and their family for the support they have given him, Tom said he has ‘come along way’ since being given the heartbreaking news
He wrote: ‘To my beautiful wife who has managed to cope with the tears, and looking after an 18 month old and a new born @being_kelsey she’s the true warrior here!
‘I promise to keep you updated with how things are progressing over the next few months. And here’s hoping for a fantastic 2021.’
Tom’s former The Wanted bandmate Max George commented on the post, writing: ‘2021… your year bud.. As are the next 60! ❤️’
Some of the star’s other celebrity friends also sent their well wishes including reality star Ollie Locke.
The Made In Chelsea star,33, wrote: ‘Love you bud!!! Sending you all the love in the world Xxx’.
Tom wrote: ‘I don’t really remember them earlier days of when I was told. I was living in such a haze. But I’ve come a long way even in such a short space of time’
It comes after Tom shared a glimpse of his Christmas Day festivities with his wife Kelsey and their two children.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, the singer was in great spirits as he spent some quality time with his little girl at their home.
Doting on Aurelia, Tom could be heard talking softly to her as she opened her presents and was delighted by the baby doll and pram she was given.
Happily walking up to the pram, Aurelia squealed in delight and held onto the doll as the singer filmed her reaction.
Support: Tom’s former The Wanted bandmate Max George commented on the post, writing: ‘2021… your year bud.. As are the next 60! ❤️’
He asked her: ‘What did father Christmas bring you? You got a baby! Give the baby a cuddle’, as Kelsey, who was holding one-month-old Bodhi, could be heard saying she would ‘be like mummy’.
On Monday, Tom shared a glimpse of his recent trip to London for another ‘very long’ day of treatment for his terminal brain tumour.
The singer documented his day on Instagram Stories while ensuring he kept hydrated with plenty of water, and admitted that despite the challenges he’s grateful to still be receiving treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this week Tom revealed he’s been struggling with short-term memory loss after undergoing ‘brutal’ chemotherapy and radiotherapy for his tumour.
Tom shared his first post from the back of the car driving over a bridge in London, writing: ‘Another day of treatment.’
Adorable: It comes after Tom gave fans a glimpse into his wholesome family Christmas as he spent time playing with his sweet daughter Aurelia Rose on Friday
Donning a mask, a later video showed Tom in the hospital undergoing treatment, ensuring he drank plenty of water.
He wrote: ‘The more H2O the better!’
Later Tom revealed he’d reached the end of his latest day of treatment, admitting it had taken its toll.
He wrote: ‘Treatment days are always so long but very thankful to be able to receive it given what’s happening. Hope everyone is staying safe out there.’
Tom also revealed he’d been suffering with bad short term memory loss after having chemotherapy and radiotherapy amid his terminal brain tumour battle.
Gifts! Doting on Aurelia, Tom could be heard talking softly to her as she opened her presents, including a baby doll and pram
He explained this can be a side effect of the treatments however he tried to stay upbeat joking that he’s able to recall ‘stupid’ things like the gifts he’s got for daughter Aurelia for Christmas.
Speaking on Stories, Tom explained: ‘As some of you know, I have been through chemo and radio, haven’t I?
‘Which was pretty god-damn brutal, but some of the side effects from the chemo and radio are you get bad short term memory loss.’
The father-of-two then looked towards Kelsey who was standing out of the camera frame and asked: ‘Mine [memory] was already bad, wasn’t it?’
Kelsey quickly replied with a laugh, saying: ‘It was horrendous already, so now I’m like… literally, it’s even worse!’
Cute! Aurelia Rose was clearly very happy with her presents, and she was seen dressed up in a sparkling silver dress
Tom then continued chatting, telling his fans: ‘But it’s the weirdest thing because, I’ll go to her [Kelsey], “What did I just do? What was I gonna say?”
‘But I can remember stuff like this [picks up a childrens’ toy] “What have we got? A Heart of Te Fiti [from Moana] for Christmas?” How do you remember that? Stupid.’
Two months ago Tom announced he has grade four glioblastoma, with the Bolton native undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment in a bid to prolong his life.
Life expectancy for this illness ranges from three months to 18 months after diagnosis, but the couple have not asked to hear Tom’s prognosis amid fears he would ‘sit and count down the days and not live his life’.
He wrote at the time: ‘Hey guys, you know that we’ve both been quiet on social media for a few weeks and it’s time to tell you why.
‘There’s no easy way to say this but I’ve sadly been diagnosed with a Brain Tumour and I’m already undergoing treatment.
Challenging: On Monday, Tom shared a glimpse of his recent trip to London for another ‘very long’ day of treatment for his terminal brain tumour
‘We decided, after a lot of thought, that rather than hiding away and trying to keep it a secret, we would do one interview where we could lay out all the details and let everyone know the facts in our own way.
‘We are all absolutely devastated but we are gonna fight this all the way. We don’t want your sadness, we just want love and positivity and together we will raise awareness of this terrible disease and look for all available treatment options.
‘It’s gonna be a tough battle but with everyone’s love and support we are going to beat this. Tom and Kelsey xxx.’
The couple welcomed their second child, son Bodhi in November.
‘We are going to beat this’: Two months ago Tom announced he has grade four glioblastoma, and had been undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment in a bid to prolong his life