Kelsey Parker has revealed she is expecting her first child with her partner Will Lindsay. The announcement comes three years after the devastating loss of her husband, The Wanted’s Tom Parker, to brain cancer at the age of 33.
Kelsey was left to raise their two young children, Aurelia and Bodhi, by herself. Now Kelsey and Will are set to become parents, with Kelsey exclusively telling OK!, she feels Tom has offered his “blessing” for this new chapter in their lives.
Although Kelsey, a TV personality and owner of a performing arts school, had hoped to have more children with Tom, it was sadly not to be. She said: “Tom and I always said we wanted four – but life had other plans. So yes, this is amazing but also bittersweet.
“The joys of finding out I’m pregnant and moving forward with my life, while thinking, ‘My life could have been so different.’ I’ve felt every emotion under the sun. I’m still getting my head around it but I’m so excited. And I know I’m putting myself out there, telling people. I just want everyone to be as happy as I am.”
Kelsey and her partner Will have settled into the second family home she once shared with Tom, reports the Mirror. She continued: “Tom and I had a house before, which we had the kids and got married in. We moved into my current home in September 2021, and Tom only had eight months in this place, but I feel like he picked it for me.
“Will gradually moved in. There wasn’t a specific date, but he moved in when it felt right for all of us. Right now, we don’t have any plans to move elsewhere and we’ve made this our home.”
“For me, I feel like everything’s meant to be. I’m just trying to find joy. I love my children – they’ve got me through the worst times. So I feel like I’ve been blessed with another. If I dwelled on everything that’s happened, I wouldn’t be here. Tom was my soulmate. I’m still angry he’s gone. But I can’t live in sadness. Tom wouldn’t want that.”
After previously opening up about her loneliness, Kelsey found happiness again unexpectedly last year when she met Kent-native Will, aged 27, during a night out. They went public with their relationship in September.
Now expecting her third child, Kelsey describes the pregnancy as a “happy accident” and recalls the moment they discovered they were going to be parents. She said: “It was October 21, the day after Will’s birthday. He shares a birthday with Bodhi. I was shocked but so happy. Will cried his eyes out! “.
Will, a tree surgeon, said: “I’m over the moon. This is something I’ve wanted for a long time. I couldn’t be happier and I know Kelsey is going to be an amazing mum, as she already is.”
Kelsey dealt with severe sickness during her first trimester, but opted to keep her struggle under wraps with only the couple’s immediate family told of the pregnancy.
Recounts how they shared the news with her late husband Tom’s family, Kelsey said: “Tom’s mum Noreen gave me her blessing instantly. She can’t wait to have another grandchild. All I care about is that both our families and Tom’s family are happy. Noreen is the most amazing lady. After Tom passed, she said to me, ‘As long as you’re happy Kels, whatever you do, we will always support you and be happy for you.’ We’ve all been through so much together. But I’m here and bringing another baby into the world.”
Telling her children was another heartwarming event. She continued: “We filmed it to keep. They were so happy. I think they’ll be amazing big siblings. Bodhi’s always been the baby though, so that might be hard for him at the start.”
Asked about the possibility of walking down the aisle with Will, Kelsey hints Will’s aversion to the spotlight could be a stumbling block. She said: “I think all that attention would be Will’s worst nightmare. I’m like, ‘You’ve literally picked the worst person to spend your life with! ‘ But that’s why we work so well – he’s happy to sit back and be my cheerleader.
Despite any natural apprehensions, it’s clear Kelsey is smitten with her partner, expressing heartfelt gratitude for his presence in her life. She said: “I’m so lucky to have met Will. He’s an incredible person who loves me and my kids. I can’t wait for our future together.”