Kelsey Parker slams criticism over romance with lover jailed for manslaughter

25 September 2023 , 07:53

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Kelsey Parker has opened up about her new relationship (Image: Getty Images)

Kelsey Parker has addressed the criticism she faced for finding love after the death of her late husband Tom Parker.

The Wanted hitmaker died aged 33 in March 2022, just two years after he was diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumour. Just days before his heartbreaking death, Tom took to the stage at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena for the final time with his bandmates.

Kelsey later found love with Sean Boggans in September of last year after the pair met at a wedding in Rhodes after chatting at the bar over how drunk Kelsey's relative was. Shortly after it emerged that Kelsey was dating again, fans hit out at the dancer for her decision to move on.

Former estate Sean agent knocked a man to the ground following a bust-up over a taxi back in February 2013, with victim Shaun McDermott sadly dying just nine hours after he was found in the street. Boggans was jailed for four years later that year after being convicted of manslaughter.

Kelsey Parker recently went Instagram official with her new man, Sean Boggans (@being_kelsey/instagram)

Sean was convicted of manslaughter in 2013 (Metropolitan Police Service)

Addressing their relationship, Kelsey told OK! Magazine: "I've sort of put myself in a position where people are entitled to opinions. I just think 'Let people have their opinions'. There's no handbook on grief or how to be a widow. It's just ridiculous. Everybody is different and we were taught that throughout Tom's treatment.

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"Sean's been amazing in this whole situation because he comes from a different place." The mum-of-two who says her relationship with Sean is a "progression", went on to add: "Sean's been there for me when other people can't be there for me. He's been absolutely amazing. He doesn't treat me like a widow – he treats me like a normal person and I'm grateful for that."

Kelsey's husband, Tom, died in March 2022, aged 33 (Getty Images Europe)

Discussing Sean's past, Kelsey previously told the Mirror: "Everyone has a past and Sean has a lot of remorse for what happened. That's his journey. Sean has kids now, his life has moved forward. It was the biggest mistake he’s made and he's paid the price." She went on to detail her kid's reaction to meeting her new man, saying: "He comes to my house and it's full of Tom, he's so present and the kids talk about him all the time. But Sean doesn't shy away from that. After the kids met him, Aurelia said, 'Daddy died of a brain tumour' and he just replied, 'I know, darling. We all miss your Daddy'. He's another reassuring person for them, he's a massive support."

Mr McDermott had been waiting for his girlfriend to pick him up outside of the Havering Oak pub on South Street, Romford when he was knocked to the ground by Boggans following a single punch on February 3, 2013. He was found around 1.16am during a routine police patrol, before being taken to the nearby Queen's Hospital in Romford.

Shaun died at around 10am the same day with a post-mortem examination explaining his death was a result of a bleed on his brain caused by his head injuries.

Daniel Bird