Kelsey Parker (nee Hardwick) is a trained actress from the prestigious school Italia Conti in London.  She is co-founder and owner of K2K Performing Arts School in Petts Wood and the wife of the late Tom Parker from boyband The Wanted. 

Kelsey found herself an unexpected grief expert and spokesperson after she was widowed at just 32 years old.  Tom lost his battle against a Glioblastoma brain tumour in March 2022 just 18 months after diagnosis.  Kelsey took an active interest in finding alternative treatment to compliment Tom’s cancer treatment and is keen to share her learnings.  She continues to campaign for better funding for brain tumour research since it receives only 1% of cancer funding despite being the biggest killer of under 40’s. 

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Kelsey’s six part documentary series for ITV launched in December 2022 and was welcomed by audiences for taking a refreshing approach to death, grief, family and community.  Kelsey continues to document her grief journey on her highly engaged Instagram account where she also documents her daily life as a Mother, business owner and vibrant young woman.  Kelsey has a huge amount of support from friends and family and their commitment to supporting her, Tom and their children through their difficult journey has really captured audiences, proving “it takes a Village” and we can overcome anything with the right support network.  Kelsey’s positive outlook and fun-filled schedule is uplifting and inspiring and she is keen to send a message of Hope to anyone facing a diagnosis.

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Together, Tom and Kelsey share two children; Aurelia and Bodhi. 

In 2022 Kelsey participated in Giovanna Fletcher’s CoppaFeel trek across the Sahara Desert with women affected by breast cancer and their families.  Kelsey is proud to be a Director of Ahead of the Game Foundation, founded by Dave Bolton.  In 2022, just two months after Tom’s death, Kelsey helped Tom’s autobiography 'Hope' become a Sunday Times Best-Seller. Kelsey in 2023 has released her own autobiography 'With Or Without You' is her moving, deeply personal story of the first 12 months since Tom's tragic passing. An intimate diary of how she coped with a year of unwanted firsts - first birthdays, first Christmas, first Valentine's Day - all without the love of her life. It is the story of how she rebuilt her life, and bravely found a way to face the future.