The Wanted’s Tom Parker posthumously shortlisted for NTA

The Wanted singer Tom Parker has been posthumously shortlisted for a National Television Award for his documentary Inside My Head, in which he opened up about living with a brain cancer diagnosis.

Parker was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2020, and died in March this year, aged 33.

The channel 4 documentary also charted the singer organising a charity concert of the same name at the Royal Albert Hall in September 2021, raising money for Stand Up To Cancer and The National Brain Appeal.

Other nominees include Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway for Caring for Derek, the follow-up programme to her 2021 documentary about her husband Derek Draper’s year in hospital being treated for coronavirus.

Confirming the death of Parker in an Instagram post earlier this year, Parker’s wife, 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.” 

“We are truly thankful for the outpouring of love and support,” her message went on, “and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom’s light continues to shine for his beautiful children. Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you.” Parker leaves behind a daughter and a son.

Earlier this year, The Wanted shared a touching tribute video in memory of bandmate Parker. In a compilation video shared by the band titled ‘Sleep Well Brother x’, behind-the-scenes footage showed Parker with bandmates Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes.

Parker was also remembered at the Grammys earlier this year in the In Memoriam segment of the ceremony, memorialised with Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and stage musical legend Stephen Sondheim.