Kelsey Parker announces ‘rainbow baby’ joy after stillbirth horror
The podcast host and campaigner has revealed she is expecting a child with partner Will Lindsay, nearly a year after the devastating loss of son Phoenix.
Kelsey Parker has announced she is expecting a baby almost a year after the devastating stillbirth of her son Phoenix. Describing the pregnancy as the arrival of a “little rainbow baby”, the 36-year-old – who was married to The Wanted singer Tom Parker until his death from brain cancer in 2022 aged 33 – has shared the news on Instagram with a video featuring her children Aurelia, five, and Bodhi, four, covering a baby scan.
The announcement comes nearly a year after Kelsey revealed the loss of her son Phoenix, who she had with her current partner Will Lindsay.
Kelsey told fans: “A year ago next month, we lost our beautiful baby boy, Phoenix.
“And somehow, through all the heartbreak, it feels like Tom and Phoenix have sent us another little gift from heaven – our little rainbow baby.”
The term “rainbow baby” is commonly used to describe a child born after a family has experienced pregnancy, stillbirth or infant loss.
Kelsey has spoken openly in recent years about grief, bereavement and parenting following Tom’s death.
Tom rose to fame as a member of chart-topping boyband The Wanted, alongside Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes.
The group achieved major success with hits including Glad You Came, Chasing the Sun and All Time Low.
Since Tom’s death, Kelsey has documented her experiences through podcasts, interviews and television appearances, while continuing to campaign on issues linked to grief and baby loss.
Last year, Kelsey announced what she described as the “earth shattering news” her boy Phoenix had died.
At the time, she shared a poem titled Born Sleeping, Forever Loved in tribute to her son.
In the accompanying message online, she said: “Phoenix Parker-Lindsay, you will forever be loved.”
The poem read: “The world grew quiet as you arrived, So loved, so longed for, yet not alive. Our precious boy, our angel light, Born with wings, took silent flight.
“We named you Phoenix, brave and bright.
“A soul of love, of warmth and light Though we never heard you cry, You'll live in hearts that won't ask why. No breath you drew, no eyes to see, Still, you mean everything to me. You'll journey with us, softly near, In every sigh, in every tear.”
In recent months, Kelsey has continued to speak publicly about the circumstances surrounding Phoenix’s death and the treatment she received afterwards.
Discussing the experience, she said: “It’s taken me a year to actually process what happened to us. I’m just so upset and angry with how they treated me.
“I just wanted love and kindness, and I don’t think that’s a lot to actually ask.”
Kelsey has said she is determined to continue campaigning for improved support and care for bereaved families after describing her experience following Phoenix’s stillbirth as “harrowing”.
The announcement of her pregnancy was met with messages of support from followers on social media, with Kelsey sharing her hopes for the future as she prepares to welcome her child with Will.
She said: “And somehow, through all the heartbreak, it feels like Tom and Phoenix have sent us another little gift from heaven – our little rainbow baby.”
