Max George says late bandmate Tom Parker is always there on stage
Max George says hearing the voice of his late bandmate Tom Parker is his favorite part of performing on stage as The Wanted 2.0, according to bbc.com. Speaking ahead of a concert at Manchester Academy, George opened up to BBC North West Tonight about touring as a two-piece with Siva Kaneswaran, coping with grief, and recovering from his own heart surgery.
Touring as The Wanted 2.0 and Remembering Tom Parker
The Wanted formed as a five-piece boy band in 2009, featuring Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Tom Parker, and Nathan Sykes. After achieving global success with four million singles and a million album sales, tragedy struck when Bolton-born Tom Parker died from a brain tumor in 2022 at the age of 33, following a stage four glioblastoma diagnosis in 2020.
George told bbc.com that he gets reminded of Parker constantly while on stage. Because the two used to share lead vocal duties, George still hears Parker’s voice playing in his ears during performances. “He’s always there which is lovely for me,” George said to bbc.com. “I love that. It’s my favourite thing about doing the show.”
The current tour marks the second time George and Kaneswaran have hit the road as a duo since Parker’s death. George described grief as a fluctuating experience, noting to bbc.com that losses bring terrible days followed by weeks of feeling fine, before unexpected waves of emotion return.
From Mass Auditions to American Stardom
Reflecting on the group’s origins, George recalled the mass open auditions held by talent manager Jayne Collins, who also assembled The Saturdays. George admitted to bbc.com that he initially joined the band just to afford rent and a few beers on the weekend.
In May 2011 the band released Glad You Came, and George recalled that their record label rang to say it was selling over 300,000 copies a week. That momentum propelled the band into the American market, bringing a level of fame that George described as entirely life-changing.
After a hiatus announced in January 2014, the band reunited for a new single and greatest hits album in late 2021, followed by a 12-date UK tour that accompanied Parker before his passing.
Health Scares and the Current 2026 Schedule
Alongside the emotional weight of touring, George dealt with a major health scare nearly two years ago when doctors discovered a blockage in his heart.
The Wanted 2.0 kicked off their current UK tour in Bath at the start of October 2026. Following their show at Manchester Academy, the duo has four remaining performances ahead of their final scheduled night in Dublin on 19 November 2026.
Disclaimer: The views and cultural analyses presented in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information regarding legal disputes or financial data is based on available public records.