Entertainment
Grieving Max George pulls out of The Games’ promo after Tom Parker’s death: ‘He felt he wasn’t strong enough’Meghna Amin
Max George has reportedly pulled out of The Games’ promo events a week after Tom Parker’s funeral (Pictures: REX/Backgrid)
The Wanted’s Max George has pulled out of ITV’s The Games’ promo events following the tragic death of his friend and bandmate Tom Parker.
Tom died last month at the age of 33, after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in late 2020.
Max, also 33, withdrew from The Games’ press day at the ‘last minute’ because he ‘isn’t in a good space following Tom’s death’.
Max was due to be taking a place alongside former Love Islander Wes Nelson and Coronation Street actor Colson Smith in the new ITV sports challenge show.
Hosted by Holly Willoughby and Freddie Flintoff, The Games will see 12 celebrities battle it out across different athletic competitions in a week long event in May.
However, a week after Tom’s funeral, a source has claimed Max will no longer be taking part in the promo events.
Max has reportedly dropped out of press events but is still due to take part in the live shows (Picture: SplashNews.com)
Tom’s death reportedly ‘hit him very hard’ (Picture: Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock)
An insider told The Sun: ‘He has been finding it tough to talk and although there were no questions allowed about Tom, Max felt he wasn’t strong enough to face a lot of people.
‘Tom’s death has hit him very hard and he is working through his grief with the support of everyone at The Games.’
Max will compete in the live shows ‘in Tom’s honour’ (Picture: Rotello/Mcp/REX/Shutterstock)
The source added that Max ‘is determined to compete and give it his all’ during the live shows in May, and will be ‘pushing himself’ to compete ‘in Tom’s honour.’
Following Tom’s funeral, Max penned a heart-breaking tribute to the late star and shared a series of pictures from the day, leading with a beautiful framed picture of his bandmate, decorated with white roses.
He wrote alongside the photos: ‘Good night beautiful boy. I will always think of you.
Max and his bandmates carried Tom’s coffin at the funeral last week (Picture: Kirsty O’Connor / PA)
Max penned a heart-breaking tribute to Tom after the funeral (Picture: Raw Image LTD/MEGA)
‘Thanks for making my life so much better than I could ever have hoped for. Carrying you was an honour.
‘You have carried me so many times over the last 12 years. I love you Tom. See you up there brother.’
More: ITV
Max and his bandmates, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes, had also posted a sweet video tribute to him on the band’s social media pages, of a four-and-a-half minute compilation video showing various clips of Tom and the rest of The Wanted, who formed the group in 2009, ending with the message ‘we love you brother.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV and Max George’s representatives for comment.
The Games will air on Monday, May 9 at 9pm on ITV and ITV Hub.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Entertainment – Metro
