Of her role in Harry Potter, where she played a Hufflepuff student, Kelsey laughs, “The Harry Potter film is one that definitely resonates with the kids. They’ll say to their mates, ‘My mum was in Harry Potter.’ So that’s pretty cool.” In March 2022, the much-loved pop star, husband and father and son died from an incurable brain tumour. However, she is keen to stress one thing: “Tom is irreplaceable. There will never be another Tom Parker in my life.”

I will preface this by saying I am biased as a fan of The Wanted, and of Tom as a person, but honestly believe that this book can be impactful universally.Already following in their talented parents’ footsteps – Kelsey is a trained actress and runs a performing arts school – the siblings are showing promise for a career in the spotlight. Particularly Aurelia.

Nevertheless, it’s clear Sean has helped Kelsey through some hard moments and feelings of isolation in times when her family and friends aren’t around her.In 1963, Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley’s audacious manager who had gotten his start selling candy apples in carnivals, read in the paper that Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidential yacht, the U.S.S. Potomac, was going to be salvaged. Some called it his “Floating White House.” But Parker, who was born in Holland in 1909 as Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk and never became an American citizen, didn’t care about that. He saw the Potomac as just another snow job, as he called his art of the con. He would donate the rusting hulk to charity and put a P.R. feather in the cap of his only client: Elvis Presley. The sleeve reads, "In March 2022, much-loved pop star, father and son Tom Parker died from incurable brain cancer. This story is his legacy, in his own words. A proud working-class lad from Bolton, he rose to chart-topping fame with The Wanted and even took America by storm. A loving father to Aurelia and Bodhi and a proud husband to Kelsey, his life after pop superstardom was all about family, friends and finding new purpose. After his diagnosis in 2020, he become a prominent campaigner for brain cancer research, appearing in the House of Commons as well as holding a massively successful concert in aid of Stand Up to Cancer in the Royal Albert Hall. Throughout it all, Tom had hope. This inspirational memoir shows how far hope and daring to dream can carry you, no matter what cards you're dealt." Sean’s been amazing in this whole situation because he comes from a different place,” she says. “We’re still seeing each other.” I’ve sort of put myself in a position where people are entitled to opinions,” she says. “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

Sean’s been there for me when other people can’t be there for me,” she says. “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.” They give you 12 to 18 months of survival. But that's the general statistics. Everyone we've ­spoken to has been way, way beyond that." I’ve done it for Aurelia and Bodhi – how cool that both their parents are published authors! When they get older, they can read the books and get a sense of mine and Tom’s relationship. And I definitely think that’s what you draw from my book. Tom was my everything.” It’s a devastatingly short book for me, I would’ve lapped up a book five times its length, which feels so metaphorical for the unfair hand Tom was dealt with his diagnosis. Despite this, the book manages to be uplifting, offering insight into how positivity and hope were such strong traits throughout Tom’s life, and how they ultimately came to be some of his biggest allies whilst fighting his illness.For what it’s worth, the film has it right when Elvis gets suggestive with a plaster Nipper, the RCA dog, in concert. But it’s said to have happened at the Pan-Pacific show. He Only Took Credit for Elvis’s Success, Not Blame for His Demise Looking to the future isn’t something on Kelsey’s mind either. Tom’s taught her it’s all about living “for today”. But right now, she’s grateful to have written a book so that her children can read about their parents when they’re ready.