The Wanted carry Tom Parker's coffin as wife Kelsey gives tribute at funeral
Watch: Tom Parker's bandmates from The Wanted carry his coffin during his funeral
The Wanted's Jay McGuiness, Max George, Siva Kaneswaran and Nathan Sykes carried bandmate Tom Parker's coffin into the church at his funeral as Oasis hit Champagne Supernova was played to gathering well-wishers outside.
On Wednesday morning, the late musician's bandmates joined his family members and close friends at the private ceremony at St Francis of Assisi church in southeast London.
Other pallbearers were tasked with removing multicoloured flowers arranged in the word "Daddy" from the horse-drawn carriage. The arrangement was taken into the church along with a heart-shaped red rose piece from the hearse, which spelt out "Tom".
Outside the church and adornment of flowers were titled Glad You Came after The Wanted's hit song.
Parker's widow and the mother of his two young children children, Kelsey Hardwick, led a cortege with three black horses through Petts Wood watched by hundreds of fans who lined the streets for the procession before the service.
Hardwick was supported on both sides as she walked down the street behind the horse-driven hearse and the coffin - adorned with white lilies.
During the ceremony, Hardwick, who married the the singer in 2018, paid tribute to her late husband who she called her "soulmate" in a touching speech.
She added: "Marrying you was the best day of my life." Also at the service in a pre-recorded message, Mrs Parker shared anecdotes about how the pair first met at a nightclub before he became a star.
She said: "I will treasure every memory because life with you was never dull".
Also addressing the congregation, bandmate George said: "He has left us far too early and we will miss him so much. The people outside, the people all around the world, is a credit to him you. Rest easy mate."
Last week, Hardwick invited fans to line the streets to watch the service outside on big screens.
She wrote: "There will be a private celebration of life on Wednesday 20th April.
"We know many of you would like to pay your respects as well, so would love for you to join us in Petts Woods from 10am.
"It would be beautiful to have everyone line the route as we head to our private service. You are then welcome to join us outside the church for the duration where the service will be relayed on screens."
Mrs Parker, who has asked fans to donate to charitable causes instead of sending flowers and cards, revealed that she has created a GoFundMe page to facilitate that in order 'keep Tom’s memory alive forever'.
Within the first 12 hours, the page exceeded its ￡5,000 target and has since racked up more than ￡51,000 worth of donations.
The pair got married in 2018 and had daughter, Aurelia Rose, the following year. Their son Bodhi was born last October.
Fans did indeed turn up and in their hundreds dressed in black to pay their respects.
Read more: Tom Parker's wife Kelsey invites fans to line the streets of his funeral procession
Parker died at age 33 last month, 17 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
He was surrounded by his family and bandmates and performed at a reunion gig with his band just weeks before he died.
Following his diagnosis, he shared updates on his condition and treatment on social media.
He had disclosed in October 2020 that he had been diagnosed with inoperable stage-four glioblastoma and was undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Doctors gave him 12-18 months to live.
Despite the diagnosis, he was said to have been determined to fight until the very end.
His death was confirmed by his devastated wife on Instagram.
She wrote: "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 and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom's light continues to shine for his beautiful children."
The likes of singers Ed Sheeran, Martin Kemp and Howard Donald have also paid tribute to the late singer.
