Trolls say I make them sick for having a baby with a new man… but don’t my kids deserve a sibling? asks Kelsey Parker
USUALLY when a woman reveals they are expecting a baby, they’re flooded with well-wishes, flowers and support.
But for Kelsey Parker, the reality was the total opposite.
The majority of people have been pleased the 34-year-old – who has two children with the late Wanted star Tom Parker – is three months pregnant with her third child with new partner Will Lindsay.
But she has also had to deal with horrific online abuse over her happy news.
One commented: “I’m sorry but it can’t just be me who thinks Kelsey, Tom Parker’s widowed wife, is moving on way too fast.
“Tom hasn’t even been gone three years and yet she’s already got a new partner and is now pregnant?
“I understand we all grieve differently but this is weird to me.”
A second said: “Kelsey Parker pregnant not even three years after Tom passing away makes me sick.”
A third added: “She has been in such a rush since he died to find a new partner. I’m not sure a new baby is the answer to her problems.”
Another troll accused Kelsey of “not knowing how to be her on own”.
Now, in an exclusive interview with The Sun, Kelsey reveals: “I was apprehensive announcing it. Although we are so happy – we are over the moon – of course I feel guilty too.
“Everything now will always be bittersweet, even happy things because I’ll wish Tom was part of it.”It was the same when I went public with Will, I kept thinking ‘I am afraid to be happy’.
“But I love children and Will always wanted children. I think any child is a blessing.
“And my two kids are so thrilled they are going to have a little brother or sister.
“People online don’t think about the joy it’s brought them. And should they not get to have a sibling because their dad died?”
Since Tom passed away from a brain tumour in March 2022, Kelsey has been criticised online by people who don’t think she’s grieving in the ‘right way’.
“It’s crazy,” she admits.
“I knew I would be judged. But people who haven’t lost their partner, I don’t know how you can pass comment on me? I have been in such a dark place from losing Tom.
“I was so lonely and so unhappy. I feel like there are people who want me to always feel like that. I feel like I do deserve to try and find a bit of happiness.
“I think people think I should be sitting at home and dressed in black all day. I have two children (and another one on the way) that I have to get out of bed for. People are shocked I go to Tesco but I need to feed my kids.
I also vowed til death us do part. He has died. It sounds harsh but I’ve got to accept no matter how much I wish it was different, he’s not coming back.
Kelsey Parker
“I cannot get my head around why this has happened to me but it has. My life changed the moment Tom was diagnosed. But I have the power and strength to keep going. But I’m judged for that.
“It’s almost frowned upon that I’m trying to look on the brighter side of life.
“But would it be better to be in a dark place or if I was getting drunk or doing drugs or whatever? Either way I can not win.”
Kelsey feels that there is a misogyny to it as when men lose their wives they are commended for moving on and finding happiness again.
She says: “There is a double standard and I don’t feel like men get it in the same way as women. I’ve spoken to families where the women have met someone new and their late partner’s family have cut them off.
“I don’t want to hate on men but lots of them do find it harder to be by themselves.”
Kelsey also resents that the online commentators try to imply she has betrayed her marriage to Tom by moving on to a new relationship with tree surgeon Will.
“Ultimately everyone just wants to be happy,” she admits.
“I was 19 when I met Tom and I thought I was going to share my whole life with him. All these people talking about me breaking my wedding vows, I promised to be there in sickness and health and I was.
“Whatever he needed me to do when he was well and even more so when he was sick I did it for him because I was his wife and I loved him.
“If he had told me to hop on one leg down the street to cure him, I would have. I’d have f***ing done anything to save him.
“However, I also vowed til death us do part. He has died. It sounds harsh but I’ve got to accept no matter how much I wish it was different, he’s not coming back.
“If I could bring him back and spend the rest of my life with him and have my two kids and have more kids with him, I would.
“He was my life, my partner and my soulmate but that’s not happened for me.
“While it’s been difficult for me, it’s horrible for Will too. This is his first child and he’s preparing to be a dad. I’ve already had this experience. I feel like people are taking the excitement away from Will.
“Although the best thing about Will is that he reads nothing. He has no clue.
“He goes, ‘Kelsey, I don’t know why you’re looking at those comments.’
“I tried not to look as I knew what it would be like. But then I love it when fellow widows or friends stick up for me and say nice things.”
Kelsey and Tom's relationship timeline
Kelsey and Tom were together for 13 years and have two children together
2009: Kelsey Hardwick and Tom Parker first met. Tom Parker was a member of the British-Irish boy band The Wanted.
2011: Kelsey and Tom started dating. Their relationship grew stronger as Tom’s career with The Wanted progressed.
2016: Tom proposed to Kelsey in a romantic setting. The couple announced their engagement to the public.
2018: Tom and Kelsey got married on 14th July 2018 in a beautiful ceremony attended by family and friends.
2019: The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Aurelia Rose Parker, in July.
2020: In October, Tom Parker revealed that he had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Kelsey stood by his side, providing support and strength.
2020: The Parkers welcomed their second child, a son named Bodhi Thomas Parker, in October.
2021-2022: Throughout Tom’s battle with cancer, Kelsey continued to support him and raise awareness about his condition.
2022: Tom Parker sadly passed away on 30th March 2022, after his courageous battle with brain cancer. Kelsey honoured his memory with heartfelt tributes and continued to share their love story with the public.
Kelsey Parker remains dedicated to keeping Tom’s memory alive and continues to be an inspiration to many for her strength and resilience.
Instead of letting the negativity affect her, Kelsey prefers to focus on their family bubble and those important to her – her kids – Aurelia, five and Bodhi, four – Will, her family and Tom’s family.
FAMILY BUBBLE
“The worst has happened to me so what can you say that will hurt me more?” she says.
“I’ve had the rug ripped from underneath my feet and my whole future and my kids’ future taken away.
“So we grab hold of any little bit of joy or happiness now. I know life is not a rehearsal, there is no time to waste.
“My family and Tom’s family are so happy for me. Tom’s mum Noreen won’t be able to help herself spoiling the new baby.
“She will be their granny too and she will treat them the same as Aurelia and Bodhi.
“We’ve just booked our first holiday with Noreen and Tom’s dad Nige and my family for when the baby’s here.
“People try to push this idea that we don’t get on but we all do. All that matters to me is that those I love are OK and are happy.”
Kelsey, who had preeclampsia with her first child and had to juggle baby check-ups alongside Tom’s hospital appointments while pregnant with Bodhi, is hoping her third pregnancy will be much smoother.
“I am feeling ok and my health is ok at the moment. I am eating a lot at the moment.
“When I was expecting Bodhi, that was the hardest time. Going into the hospital with Tom, who has cancer and having to deal with all his emotions around that. He would be thinking ‘Am I going to be alive to meet this child?’
My family and Tom’s family are so happy for me. Tom’s mum Noreen won’t be able to help herself spoiling the new baby.
“When Bodhi came out, Tom was bawling his eyes out. It was not an experience that you would want to put anyone through. It’s meant to be one of our happiest days of our lives giving birth to a beautiful baby boy.
“And it wasn’t. All I had in my head was ‘how long has Tom got left with this child?’ I feel like everything’s bittersweet to me.”
Kelsey is quite realistic that while she feels happier now she will be dealing with Tom’s death for many years to come.
“This is a new phase for me. It does feel like it’s brought me and Will closer. I just feel like it will complete us as a family. But I am aware it’s never-ending.
“People think that I’m with Will and Tom is forgotten but that’s not the case. We talk about him all the time. I know I’ve got years of dealing with all the things that will come up for the kids with losing their dad when they were so young.
“I wish people would think about that before commenting on my life. We’ve had some really tough times but I really hope there are some brighter days ahead.”