Tom Parker's widow Kelsey shares awful way she was treated by recent date

09 June 2024 , 07:23

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Kelsey Parker has opened up about the stigma surrounding young widows and revealed a man she was talking to cut contact with her as soon as he found out her husband had died (Image: PA)

Kelsey Parker, widow of The Wanted star Tom Parker, has opened up about the loneliness and stigma she's faced since her husband's death.

At just 31, Kelsey was left to raise their two children, Aurelia and Bodhi, alone after Tom tragically passed away from an inoperable brain tumour. In a new interview, the doting mum revealed a man she had been talking to recently blanked her after learning she was a widow.

"He blanked me the second he knew my husband had died," she shared. "I told him, 'Don't worry, I didn't kill him!' But people struggle when it comes to grief. They don't know what to say. I can't blame him people don't expect someone to be a widow at my age."

At just 31, Kelsey was left to raise their two children, Aurelia and Bodhi, alone after Tom tragically passed away (Instagram)

Kelsey explained the quiet evenings once the kids are asleep are particularly tough, as she yearns for someone to share them with

Kelsey explained the quiet evenings once the kids are asleep are particularly tough, as she yearns for someone to share them with.

Kelsey briefly dated electrician Sean Boggans last year, but the relationship didn't work out. Reflecting on this, she said: "When it's meant to be, it'll be, and that person will be sent by Tom, I reckon. He's picking them for me. I think he sent Sean for a reason," reports OK!.

Tom Parker's widow Kelsey reveals struggle about living with grief as she looks ahead to 2023

"Sean was what I needed at the time and he was wonderful. I'll never say a bad word about him. But, right now, I need to focus on work and providing for my children."

When it comes to navigating the dating scene, Kelsey, who met Tom when she was just 19, admits that it's almost unrecognisable now. "I just can't cope with how much it's all changed," she shared.

"Everything's so different from when I was 19. I was with Tom for 13 years and never really dated anyone else. I've certainly never been on any apps. I met Sean through a friend, that happened organically, so dating apps are alien to me. I haven't got the time to sit there and swipe. Plus, I've heard so many horror stories from my friends, I couldn't bring myself to do it."

While Kelsey will always hold a special place in her heart for Tom, and admits she'll never love anyone else the way she loved him, she hopes to one day give her kids a stepdad in Tom's absence, a father figure, like she had growing up.

"I adore my stepdad, he walked me down the aisle. I'd love my kids to have that," she says. "I know if I did meet someone, that person can fit that role for my kids. If the right person exists. And I hope they do. I know there will never be another Tom. I won't love anyone like I loved him. But I do believe you can have more than one soulmate."

Isobel Pankhurst