The Wanted star Tom Parker’s widow Kelsey Parker announces the tragic loss of her third child who was born sleeping
The Wanted star Tom Parker’s widow Kelsey Parker has shared the devastating news that her third child was born stillborn.
In an emotional post on Instagram just weeks before her due date, the 34-year-old announced that she and partner Will Lindsay had lost their baby, a son they named Phoenix.
The podcast host shared a heartbreaking tribute captioned, “Phoenix Parker-Lindsay, you will forever be loved” alongside a poem titled ‘For Phoenix, Born Sleeping, Forever Loved’.
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“The world grew quiet as you arrived, So loved, so longed for, yet not alive. Our precious boy, our angel light, Born with wings, took silent flight,” read the poem.
“We named you Phoenix, brave and bright. A soul of love, of warmth and light Though we never heard you cry, You’ll live in hearts that wont ask why. No breath you drew, no eyes to see, Still, you mean everything to me. You’ll journey with us, softly near, In every sigh, in every tear.”
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In another post shared on Instagram, Kelsey addressed the level of support she was about to get, and asked for privacy for her family as they processed the loss of their baby boy.
“Before I receive an influx of lovely messages and heartfelt wishes, I wanted to just say that I truly appreciate everything you are all going to say and share,” she wrote.
“But with the news being so raw, I would really like to ensure that we as a family are given space and time to process this devastating and earth-shattering news.
“I love you all and thank you for your understanding and space. Love always, Kelsey, Will, and the Parker Family.”
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Kelsey is mum to Aurelia, five, and Bodhi, four, who she shares with The Wanted star Tom Parker, who died from brain cancer in 2022, at the age of 33.
In October 2020, he was diagnosed with stage-four glioblastoma, two years after they tied the knot.
Kelsey and Will announced they were expecting their first child together in January.
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Confessing the baby was a “happy accident”, Kelsey said she was gently preparing Aurelia and Bodhi for a new sibling, and sharing the joyous news with Tom’s family.
Tom’s mum Noreen, she said at the time, had immediately given her blessing.
But in the weeks since sharing their happy news, Kelsey was forced to defend her new relationship and in an interview on the ITV show Lorraine, said that she feels like “people want me to feel guilty for moving on”.
“I’m always going to have guilt but what’s so hard is that Tom’s not here anymore so what do people want me to do?” she explained.
Also by her side during the interview was her new partner, who shared that he tells Kelsey to “block out the haters” when it comes to trolling.
The Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line is available 24/7 for anyone affected by the loss of a pregnancy, stillbirth or death of a baby or child on 1300 308 307.
