31 December 2023 , 15:55
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Kelsey Parker, the widow of The Wanted singer Tom Parker, has hit back at online trolls who criticised her for dating again.
She was accused of "not grieving Tom properly" after his tragic death from a brain tumour in March 2022 at just 33 years old. Kelsey, also 33, had found love with electrician Sean Boggans. Despite the criticism, she insists that Tom would have wanted her to be happy and live her life. In response to the trolls, Kelsey said: "When you've lost someone you love so much, it proves to you that you've only got one life."
"Tom would want me to be happy. You've got one life, so you should live it. That's what he's taught us. When it comes to dating again... what's it got to do with anyone else? I think whatever makes you happy in life, you've got to do it."
Tom died from a brain tumour in March 2022 (being_kelsey/Instagram)Kelsey, who released a memoir called With or Without You in September this year, also spoke about the stigma around grief. She said there is "so much stigma on how you should grieve" in the chat with the Daily Star, but added that this is "not the case" and she is "still young" and has two children to look after.
Helping others who are sad, she said: "There is no rule book for grief out there and I'm saying to people: don't worry about how you're grieving because there is no right or wrong way to do it."
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"You could be smiling one minute and then deep in emotion the next minute", Kelsey added, before saying: "There is no wrong or right way." Kelsey has broken up with her boyfriend but is thankful for their time together and his support when Tom passed away.
The mum of two told everyone in December on Instagram that she and Sean are not together anymore. She shared: "We're not together anymore. It's a shame it didn't work out as he's a really amazing person, but it just wasn't right. Hopefully one day I will find love again."
They split after five months as she struggled with the one-year anniversary of Tom's death. In September, it seemed they had rekindled their romance after meeting at a friend's wedding in south London - with Kelsey saying Sean had given her a "new lease of life".
But Kelsey, who has children Aurelia, four, and three year old son Bodhi with her late husband Tom, later confirmed on social media that she is no longer in a relationship. Answering a fan's question in her Instagram stories, she said: "We're not together anymore. It's a shame it didn't work out as he's a really amazing person, but it just wasn't right. Hopefully one day I will find love again."
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