Max George ‘hasn’t yet processed’ death of best friend Tom Parker: ‘It’s been a strange couple of months’-Charlotte Manning-Entertainment – Metro

Max George has opened up on his grief over late pal and bandmate Tom Parker, who died earlier this year, aged 33, after battling a stage four glioblastoma brain tumour.

Tom died at the age of 33 in March after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, in October 2020, and was given just 12 months to live by doctors.  

Despite his ongoing treatment, Tom made a great effort to join his Wanted bandmates – Max George, Nathan Sykes, Jay McGuinness and Siva Kaneswaran – on their UK tour just weeks before.

Chatting alongside Maisie Smith to promote their stint on the Strictly Presents – Keeep Dancing! tour, Max was asked by anchor Kaye Adams how he was doing nearly three months on. 

Max replied: ‘It’s been a strange couple of months. I’ve just been doing stuff constantly. 

‘With [Tom] passing and being there, doing a TV show, then the funeral, it’s been… I’ve not really processed it yet.’

Max appeared on today’s Loose Women (Picture; ITV)

Tom (centre) died in March (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

But he seemed positive for the future, and recognised how much being distracted by the fun of the tour would help him.

He added: ‘Once I do this show, it will put a smile on my face. I’m going to take a couple of months out to process and get my head back to normal.’

Max and Maisie chatted about their tour, which starts tonight (Picture: ITV)

Joining the pair on the tour will be Neil Jones, Nancy Xu, Cameron Lombard, Rhys Stephenson and Jowita Przystal.

It comes after Max previously shared how he still texts his late friend during a chat on This Morning last month. 

Tom and Max were close friends for over a decade (Picture: ROB CABLE / BACKGRID)

Max, 33, explained: ‘If I get pictures of stuff that fans have made with him in it or they send a nice message to do with Tom, I’ll WhatsApp it to him.’

Strictly star Max also issued an emotional tribute following the funeral in April, writing: ‘Good night beautiful boy. I will always think of you. 

‘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.’

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Following the 33-year-old’s death, the band’s song Gold Forever shot up the charts, resulting in them releasing a new version in tribute.

Tom leaves behind his wife Kelsey and two children, Aurelia, 2, and Bodhi, 1.

Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV.

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