The widow of The Wanted star Tom Parker has spoken candidly about her new boyfriend for the first time since her husband’s heartbreaking death.
Dad-of-two Tom died in March last year aged 33 after an 18-month battle with stage four glioblastoma brain cancer.
His widow, Kelsey Parker, 33, has revealed how surprised she was to develop such a strong relationship with electrician Sean Boggans, but she has found a ‘new lease on life’.
Kelsey previously shared that she thought her late husband, the boy band rocker, would be “happy” if she found love again after his tragic death.
She dated Sean, who was jailed for four years in 2013 for killing a stranger with one punch, for about five months after they met at a wedding in Greece. In March, around the first anniversary of Tom’s funeral, Kelsey’s romance with Sean came to an end.
Tom Parker’s widow Kelsey has spoken candidly for the first time about her relationship with new boyfriend Sean Boggans (pictured together on Valentine’s Day this year)
Father-of-two Tom Parker died in March last year aged 33 after an 18-month battle with stage four glioblastoma brain cancer. Pictured: Tom Parker, Kelsey Parker and their two children due to his death
Kelsey previously shared that she thought her late husband would be “happy” if she found love again after his death. Pictured: Tom and Kelsey Parker on this October 2021 morning
But they reunited shortly afterwards when they met at a mutual friend’s wedding in Greenwich, South London.
Speak with The mirror, Kelsey revealed, “He brings me so much joy and laughter. Sean was a real new life for me.”
Kelsey – who insisted Sean would never replace her ‘irreplaceable’ late husband – also told how her new partner was hugely supportive of her and Tom’s child Aurelia, four, and Bodhi, two.
“We were able to sit there and talk about Tom, and Sean was incredible,” she added.
“He comes to my house and it’s full of Tom, he’s such a presence and the kids talk about him all the time.
‘But Sean doesn’t shy away from that. After the children met him, Aurelia said, “Daddy died of a brain tumor,” and he just replied, “I know, honey.” We all miss you daddy.’
Sean has spent time behind bars after fatally beating 44-year-old Shaun McDermott during a heated argument over a taxi outside the Havering Oak pub in Romford, Essex.
Kelsey – who praised her new lover for dealing with a difficult situation – has shared her emotional first 12 months without Tom in her book With and Without You.
Kelsey dated Sean – who was jailed for four years in 2013 for killing a stranger with one punch – for about five months after they met at a wedding in Greece. They are pictured here on Valentine’s Day earlier this year
The couple reunited shortly after their break-up when they met at a mutual friend’s wedding in Greenwich, South London
The book, out September 28, details how Sean was the first person who didn’t treat her like a widow.
It comes after she also starred in an ITV documentary exploring her grief and following her life since Tom’s death. She gave insight into her journey of grief in the documentary as she raises their children.
Kelsey Parker: Life After Tom allowed cameras into her home to follow her very personal journey with grief.
She admitted she was “anxious” about filming the documentary, but it was ultimately “the best thing she could have done.”
She explained: ‘It was like therapy for me. I did things on the show that I wouldn’t necessarily have done, but it helped me a lot. It pushed me out of my comfort zone.
‘I didn’t really understand what sadness was. You can feel so many emotions at the same time. There are so many different elements.’
Parker was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in October 2020 and was given just twelve months to live.
Eleven months later, in September 2021, he sang at the Stand Up 2 Cancer show at the Royal Albert Hall and even headed out on a Greatest Hits tour with his bandmates when his tumor was confirmed to be ‘stable’.
Kelsey (pictured at the NTA Awards earlier this month) – who praised her new lover for coping with a difficult situation – has shared her emotional first 12 months without Tom in her book With and Without You
Parker was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in October 2020 and was given just twelve months to live
Eleven months later, in September 2021, he sang at the Stand Up 2 Cancer show at the Royal Albert Hall and even headed out on a Greatest Hits tour with his bandmates. Pictured: Parker was forced to use a wheelchair and remain seated while playing with the band
In his final moments, the singer listened to Oasis’ 1994 hit Live Forever, from their debut album Definitely Maybe.
Following his death, Kelsey said: “It is with deepest hearts that we confirm that Tom passed away peacefully earlier today, with his entire family by his side.
‘Our hearts are broken. Tom was the center of our world and we cannot imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence.
“We are truly grateful 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.”