'You're one in a million': Tom Parker's The Wanted bandmates rally round their 'brother' after he revealed he's been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour

  • The singer, 32, was a member of the boyband alongside Max, Jay, Nathan Sykes and Siva Kaneswaran from 2009 until 2014 
  • In a statement released on Monday, Tom said his family were 'devastated' but vowed to 'raise awareness of this terrible disease' and 'fight this all the way' 
  • His brain tumour is a grade four glioblastoma, and he is already undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy in a bid to prolong his life
  • Posting a photo with wife Kelsey and daughter, Aurelia Rose, he wrote: 'We've both been quiet on social media for a few weeks and it's time to tell you why'
  • Life expectancy for this illness ranges from three months to 18 months after diagnosis
  • Tom and Kelsey got engaged in 2016 and tied the knot two years later in July 2018, before welcoming daughter Aurelia Rose in July 2019
  • The couple announced they were expecting their second child, a baby boy, in June this year, and Kelsey is now 36 weeks pregnant
  • Due to COVID-19 regulations, Kelsey is not allowed to accompany him to his treatment, but is hoping to have a home birth so Tom can be there 

Tom Parker's The Wanted pals Max George, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran and Jay McGuiness have rallied round their former bandmate and 'brother' after he revealed he's been diagnosed with a terminal and inoperable brain tumour.

The singer, 32, who was a member of the boyband alongside Max, Jay, Nathan and Siva from 2009 until 2014, was met with well wishes from his longtime friends, who hailed him 'one in a million'.

Musician Tom announced on Monday that he was undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment in a bid to prolong his life for the sake of his pregnant wife Kelsey and their daughter.

They go way back: The boyband stars were members of the group alongside Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes and Siva Kaneswaran from 2009 until 2014 (pictured in 2013)

Support: Tom Parker's The Wanted pals (pictured centre with Jay McGuiness, far left, Nathan Sykes, left, Max George, right, and Siva Kaneswaran, far right, in 2013) have rallied round their ex-bandmate after he revealed he's been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour

After the artist shared the news on Instagram, Max, 32, led the way with a heartwarming comment which read: 'You've always been one in a million. I love you Tom, let's get popping.' 

The former footballer later uploaded a collage of throwback images alongside a sweet message, which read: 'First of all.. I think the bravery of Tom and Kelsey announcing their situation is incredible. 

'It's obviously a devastating and scary time... but for those who don't know Tom I will say this. There is nothing that he has ever given up on and has never taken no for an answer. 

'His heart is the size of a lions, and it is his drive and passion that has always lead The Wanted and made sure we are looked after the right way. Speaking as a brother, a friend and a band mate.. I know that you will conquer this as you have every other challenge you have ever faced. 

Well wishes: The singer, 32, was met with well wishes from his longtime friends, who hailed him 'one in a million' (pictured with the band in 2013)

Well wishes: The singer, 32, was met with well wishes from his longtime friends, who hailed him 'one in a million' (pictured with the band in 2013)

Chart-topping group: The artist was a member of the boyband alongside Max, Jay, Nathan and Siva Kaneswaran from 2009 until 2014 (pictured in 2013)

Chart-topping group: The artist was a member of the boyband alongside Max, Jay, Nathan and Siva Kaneswaran from 2009 until 2014 (pictured in 2013)

'We are all on this journey together... and I can't wait to get back on the stage with you and the boys and have a proper celebration when you're better. You got this my man. I love you, Kels and all the family with all my heart and I'll be right here.❤️' (sic)

'You will beat this mate. You're TOM PARKER. Love you', Strictly Come Dancing 2015 winner Jay, 30, added.

Siva, 31, posted on Instagram: 'Tom and Kelsey, we are with you all the way. I know one thing. 

'This rockstar has always given 150% with everything he does and that’s how I know we are gonna get through this. Sending you love and positivity friends. xxx.' 

While Nathan, 27, penned: 'I've been trying to work out what to say for days, but there are simply no words. It's just the most unbelievably cruel situation. 

Confirmed: The singer's former bandmate Max George confirmed the news on Tuesday's Lorraine, revealing Kelsey had given birth last week (Tom and Kelsey pictured with their 15-month-old daughter Aurelia)

Devastating: On Monday, Tom announced his diagnosis (pictured with his pregnant wife Kelsey and their daughter Aurelia, 15 months)

'However, Tom will attack this with the same vigour that he has with everything he has ever set his mind to.'

He added: 'Tom and Kelsey's strength and bravery is incredible which was shown in the interview that was published today. I love and support both Tom and Kels and I'll be right behind them every step of the way in their fight. 

'Please keep the whole family in your prayers and send them all the love, support and positivity you possibly can. @TomParker @Being_Kelsey.'  

The band rose to fame from the release of their debut single All Time Low, and continued to top the charts with hits such as Gold Forever, Lightning and Glad You Came.

'You will beat this mate': After the artist shared the news on Instagram, Max, 32, and Jay, 30, led the way with heartwarming comments

'You will beat this mate': After the artist shared the news on Instagram, Max, 32, and Jay, 30, led the way with heartwarming comments

They even starred in their own reality TV series The Wanted Life in 2013, which detailed their quest in cracking America. 

More of Tom's famous friends were quick to send their love and support, with former TOWIE star James 'Arg' Argent penning: 'We love you Tom! We got this brother, No doubt about it!'

Whilst Rebecca Adlington - who starred with Tom on The Jump in 2016 - added: 'Sending so much love and support always.'

In an interview with OK! magazine, the father-of-one credited all his former bandmates for being incredibly supportive.

He said they had been texting regularly, visiting and sending through ideas for treatment and therapies they had read about.

In his statement, the media personality added that his family were 'devastated' but vowed to 'raise awareness of this terrible disease' and 'fight this all the way' by raising awareness and researching the treatments available.

Tom and his wife Kelsey wrote: '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. 

'His bravery is incredible': The former footballer later uploaded a collage of throwback images alongside a message (pictured above in 2010 and 2013)

'His bravery is incredible': The former footballer later uploaded a collage of throwback images alongside a message (pictured above in 2010 and 2013)

'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.'

 

'We are going to beat this': In an emotional statement, Tom revealed he was undergoing treatment and vowed to beat the deadly disease

'We are going to beat this': In an emotional statement, Tom revealed he was undergoing treatment and vowed to beat the deadly disease

Glioblastoma is considered the most aggressive tumour that can form in the brain. Senator John McCain was diagnosed with one in July 2017.

Patients have a 10 percent chance of surviving five years after their diagnosis, according to figures. The average lifespan is between 14 and 16 months.

Three adults per every 100,000 will be struck down with a glioblastoma, says The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).

It is most commonly found in men aged 50 to 60, and there is no link between developing glioblastoma and having a previous history with other cancers. 

Treatment is usually surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by a combination of radio- and chemotherapy (chemoradiation).

 

Celebs: Many famous faces including Liam Payne, Pixie Lott and Vogue Williams sent their love

Celebs: Many famous faces including Liam Payne, Pixie Lott and Vogue Williams sent their love

It can be difficult to remove all of the growth as glioblastomas have tendrils that extend to other regions of the brain. These are targeted via chemoradiation. 

Glioblastomas are often resistant to treatment as they are usually made up of different types of cells. Therefore, medication will kill off some cells and not others. 

The tumour is made up of a mass of cells growing quickly in the brain, and in most cases patients have no family history of the disease.

It won't spread to other organs, however, once it is diagnosed, it is nearly impossible to target, surgeons claim.

Unlike other types of brain cancer which are more specifically located, glioblastoma can occur in any part of the brain. 

WHAT IS A GLIOBLASTOMA AND JUST HOW DEADLY IS IT? THE AGGRESSIVE BRAIN TUMOR SUFFERED BY JOHN MCCAIN

Senator John McCain was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in July 2017

Senator John McCain was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in July 2017

Glioblastoma is considered the most aggressive tumor that can form in the brain. Senator John McCain was diagnosed with one in July 2017.

Patients have a 10 percent chance of surviving five years after their diagnosis, according to figures. The average lifespan is between 14 and 16 months.

Three adults per every 100,000 will be struck down with a glioblastoma, says The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).

It is most commonly found in men aged 50 to 60, and there is no link between developing glioblastoma and having a previous history with other cancers.

WHAT IS THE TUMOR MADE OF? 

The tumor is made up of a mass of cells growing quickly in the brain, and in most cases patients have no family history of the disease.

It won't spread to other organs, however, once it is diagnosed, it is nearly impossible to target, surgeons claim.

Unlike other types of brain cancer which are more specifically located, glioblastoma can occur in any part of the brain. 

WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE? 

Because the tumor likely already spread deep into the brain by the time it is diagnosed, the cancerous tissue is incredibly difficult to remove. 

Surgeon will only ever remove the tumor, or part of the tumor, if it won't do any damage to the surrounding brain tissue.

Dr Babcar Cisse, a neurosurgeon at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, told Daily Mail Online in July 2017: 'By the time a glioblastoma is diagnosed, microfibers can spread to the rest of the brain which an MRI would not spot.

'So even if the main tumor is removed and the patient receives radiation and chemotherapy, it will come back.' 

GRADING A GLIOBLASTOMA

Brain tumors are graded from between one to four, depending on how fast they grow and how aggressive they are.

Malignant tumors are either given a high-grade three or four, while benign ones are given a lower grade one or two. 

Glioblastoma is often referred to as a grade four astrocytoma - another form of brain tumor, says the AANS.

SYMPTOMS

Patients typically complain of symptoms such as confused vision, trouble with memory, dizziness and headaches.

The symptoms are somewhat nonspecific, and vary from person to person, and may not persist. 

The disease is therefore impossible to diagnose based on symptoms alone.

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