The funeral of The Wanted star Tom Parker took place in Kent this morning – with hundreds of fans lining the streets to show their support.

The singer, who was a patron of the Gravesend-based hospice charity ellenor, died last month at the age of just 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

A "celebration of his life" was held at 10am today, at Petts Wood, near Orpington.

While the church service was private, Tom's widow Kelsey, who led a cortege featuring three black horses, encouraged fans to pay their respects in person.

People were invited to line Queensway along the route of the procession to the church and to watch the service from outside the building via screens.

Kevin George and Susan Potter, from Orpington, whose eldest son Daniel died from an astrocytoma Grade 3 brain tumour at the age of 22 in 2018, were among those waiting outside the church.

Asked whether Tom's campaigning for brain tumour research in his final months had affected her, Ms Potter, who was carrying a framed picture of her son, said: “Of course it did, especially the BBC One interview that they did and the way he dealt with it.

"It was exactly how my son dealt with it – exactly.

“In fact, at his funeral we played Bon Jovi, It’s My Life, because that kind of (message) – it’s my life, I am going to live it now, I am going to live it today.”

Mr George said: “It’s good. It is raising the profile as well. He has raised a lot of money for research, which is what it needs.

“A lot of other cancers have almost been eradicated. They need to have more research into brain tumours.”

On Instagram, Kelsey had invited fans who wanted to pay their respects to join family and friends in Petts Wood, adding: "It would be beautiful to have everyone line the route as we head to our private service.

"You are then welcome to join us outside the church for the duration where the service will be relayed on screens."

Tom was a big supporter of helping children in receipt of palliative care.

He told fans he had been diagnosed with an inoperable tumour in October 2020, and had been receiving treatment.

But in late March, the band announced the tragic news of Tom’s passing.

“Max, Jay, Siva, Nathan and the whole Wanted family are devastated by the tragic and premature loss of our bandmate Tom Parker, who passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and his band mates,” they said.

“Tom was an amazing husband to Kelsey, and father to Aurelia and Bodhi.

“He was our brother, words can’t express the loss and sadness we feel. Always and forever in our hearts.”

Kelsey also shared a tribute to Tom on Instgram, writing: "Our hearts are broken, Tom was the centre of our world and 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 pair had two young children together.

Earlier this year, Tom – who was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma, the most common form of brain tumour – performed once again with his bandmates.

The 33-year-old had been a patron of ellenor for several years.

The hospice is the only one in the county to provide palliative care for seriously-ill people of all ages, whether a newborn baby, child, teenager, adult or elderly person in the final moments of their life.

Following a visit in 2015, Tom said: “I was humbled to meet children supported by ellenor. “I visited a respite group for young patients and their siblings, which gives parents and carers a much-needed rest.

“I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult it must be to have a sick child, but with the support of ellenor families can have precious moments together.”

In paying tribute, the hospice said it was honoured to call Tom a patron.

“Our thoughts go out to Kelsey and his family.

“We were honoured to call Tom a patron where his compassion for other people always shone.

“Rest in peace Tom, you will be remembered with so much love and affection.”