Kelsey Parker, podcaster and owner of a performing arts school, has opened up about her journey through grief, loss, and hope as she anticipates the arrival of a new baby. Parker lost her husband, Tom Parker, a member of the pop group The Wanted, to brain cancer in 2022 at the age of 33. The couple share two children, Aurelia, seven, and Bodhi, five.
After facing the devastating loss of her husband, Parker gradually found the strength to move forward and in late 2024, she announced a new relationship with tree surgeon Will Lindsay. However, hardship followed when their first child together, a son named Phoenix, was stillborn in June 2025.
Despite the tragedy, Parker, 36, said she and Lindsay are now expecting another child, often referred to as a “rainbow baby.” Speaking from her holiday home in Spain, she expressed cautious optimism about the pregnancy, noting she avoids dwelling on potential negative outcomes. “We’ve been excited since the day we found out I was pregnant again. I just don’t let myself go to that dark place of, what if? It’s not me,” she said.
Parker also reflected on the challenges her children have faced. After the stillbirth of Phoenix, her daughter Aurelia expressed anger toward her late father, questioning why he was “taking everyone.” Now, with a new sibling on the way, the family has been navigating a range of feelings, with Aurelia asking difficult questions about the risks involved. Parker explained that she delayed sharing the pregnancy news with the children to allow herself time to feel ready, describing them as “the most resilient children you’ve ever met.”
In a recent interview, Parker recounted the circumstances surrounding Phoenix’s stillbirth. She described a fast natural labour at home, followed by paramedics taking the baby from her arms just nine minutes after birth. She also detailed feelings of distress over how the situation was handled, including a lack of midwife presence and being placed in a hospital maternity ward alongside mothers with healthy newborns. Parker said it took her a long time to process the experience and shared that she suffered from post-traumatic stress symptoms as a result.
The support Parker has received after sharing her story has been a significant source of comfort. She emphasized the importance of speaking openly about grief, saying, “Anyone who knows me knows that I believe that a problem shared is a problem halved.”
Parker and Lindsay recently marked the first anniversary of Phoenix’s death, a day she described as especially difficult because it coincided with Phoenix’s birthday and Father’s Day celebrations for both her late husband and Lindsay. She praised Lindsay’s role as a supportive partner who is willing to engage in conversations about Tom and maintain his memory for the children, noting that her two children “absolutely adore” him.
Currently, Parker balances motherhood with her professional commitments while focusing on maintaining her physical and mental health during pregnancy. She mentioned plans to possibly take time off as she prepares to welcome the new baby and said she values spending quality, screen-free time with her children, emphasizing activities that promote family bonding and joy.
In addition to her personal commitments, Parker has partnered with the global games company Asmodee to launch the Memory Making Break Points campaign. The initiative encourages families visiting select Welcome Break service areas this summer to play Asmodee travel games together, fostering shared memories.