Kelsey Parker discusses comments from ‘haters’
Kelsey Parker has opened up about having a baby with her new partner – who is supporting her through her trolling hell. In the couple’s first ever joint TV interview, Will Lindsay urged her to “block out the haters” who’ve slammed her for moving on after The Wanted star Tom’s death from a brain tumour.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, Kelsey explained: “It’s been three years, this is Tom’s three year anniversary of his death and it’s almost like people want me to feel guilty for moving on.”
Kelsey was devastated after husband Tom lost his battle with brain cancer aged just 33, four years after they tied the knot. She found love again last year by chance, meeting Kent tree surgeon Will on a night out.
They announced their romance last September and Kelsey, who is due in June, previously told the Mirror her third pregnancy was a “happy accident”.
But the news sparked a backlash from some who felt the 34-year-old, who is mum to Aurelia, 5, and Bodhi, 4, with her late husband, shouldn’t have moved on.
Speaking on the show to mark Lorraine’s March4March mental health initiative, Kelsey was seen asking Will: “Does it stress you out that I get upset about trolls and people commenting on our relationship?”
Will responded: “Not really, I just tell you not to look at them don’t I. There’s bound to be some people sending nice messages but block out the haters.” Kelsey went on to say: “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?
Emotional: Kelsey Parker and Will
“Our house was full of so much sadness but now it’s full of happiness, the kids deserve that more than anything. They’ve been through so much, I feel like we are taking the steps forward to heal but I just want other women to feel like it’s ok to move on, it’s not taking anything away from the love I had for Tom.”
Kelsey, who runs a performing arts school and is also a podcaster, also opened up about the impact meeting Will has had on her life.
Kelsey said: “I do feel like you’re the best thing that’s happened to me since losing Tom. You’re so understanding, our first conversation was about you losing your Dad, you’ve been through the same thing as the children. You have an understanding of loss, if people haven’t gone through loss they will never understand it. Walk in my shoes and then understand how I feel because I just don’t think you can and that’s why you are understanding.”
Will said that meeting her was the “best thing that ever happened to me.” He added: “Just to see how strong you are as well and how strong you’ve been through it all, like you say you’ve had to be because of the kids.”
Getting emotional, he continued: “Straight away, it’s been amazing since I met you, I knew, I definitely wanted to spend more time with you. I was just insanely happy, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
Kelsey replied: “I do think Tom sent you to me, we kicked it off straight away and the kids obviously absolutely love you, everyone does actually, genuinely love you.” They discovered she was expecting on October 21, the day after the birthdays of both Will and Bodhi.
Kelsey Parker and partner Will open up Lorraine as part of their new campaign March4March
March4March is aimed at supporting the 1 in 4 Brits who suffer with low mood as research reveals exercise and movement improves mental health. Lorraine will ask its viewers and celebrity supporters to pledge a number of steps across the month of March.
They want to hit three million steps which would be the equivalent of walking the entire length of the UK.
Last week Lady Sarra Hoy, wife of Sir Chris Hoy, opened up to Lorraine of their personal struggles in her first solo television interview as part of their campaign. Last year, the 48 year old cycling legend and six-time Olympic gold medallist, Sir Chris, shared his diagnosis of terminal prostate cancer. Not long after, Lady Sarra herself was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Kelsey, who was “very sick” in her first trimester, has previously opened up to the Mirror about telling Tom’s family her news. ”Tom’s mum Noreen gave me her blessing instantly. She can’t wait to have another grandchild.All I care about is that both our families and Tom’s family are happy. Noreen is the most amazing lady. After Tom passed, she said to me, ‘As long as you’re happy, Kels, whatever you do, we will always support you and be happy for you.’”We’ve all been through so much together. But I’m here and bringing another baby into the world.”
Happy times: Kelsey Parker with her husband Tom
Telling Aurelia and Bodhi about the pregnancy was a special moment that the couple filmed.And Kelsey said Aurelia seemed to have an inkling of what was going on before they broke the news.
”When I was eight weeks pregnant, she came up and started talking to a baby in my tummy. Will and I just looked at each other in disbelief. Both of them had been going on and on for ages about wanting a brother or sister. When Will came along, they were like, ‘Can you have a baby now?’ They’re so funny.”
The Wanted star Tom told fans in October 2020 that he had an inoperable tumour.Kelsey wrote on Instagram after his death: “Our hearts are broken.”She added: “Tom was the centre of our world. 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 Wanted formed in 2009, with Parker, Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes and Jay McGuiness.They had two UK number one singles – Glad You Came and All Time Low – and eight other top 10 hits including Chasing The Sun, Heart Vacancy and Lightning.