Aston Merrygold says deaths of Tom Parker and Sarah Harding ‘put life into perspective’

Aston Merrygold says the tragic deaths of Sarah Harding and Tom Parker has helped “put life into perspective” for him.

The JLS member, 34, reflected on the devastating tragedies over the past year following the deaths of The Wanted and Girls Aloud stars who both passed away from a form of cancer.

Pop music fans will recall Tom passed away back in March of this year at the age of 33 after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour during the peak of the pandemic in October 2020.

Sarah passed away at the age of 39 in September last year following her difficult year-long battle with breast cancer surrounded by her close friends and family.

Now in an exclusive interview with Daily Star, the singer has spoken out about the effect the tragic deaths have had on him and his family after their loss over the past 12 months.

It come as the dad-of-two unveiled a new playground made from old recycled McDonald’s Happy Meal at the Ronald McDonald House in the heart of Manchester.

The park is aimed at children suffering with lifetime illnesses which is situated close to the ‘home away from home’ free accommodation provided by the charity to parents to use up and down the UK in order to be as close to their child as possible.

When asked what he thought about the celebrities’ untimely passings, he said: “Listen, all of that definitely puts life into perspective.

“As a dad myself, if a child’s even hurt, if they’re ill, you do have that initial panic and check over all that kind of stuff.

“For it to go to any other lengths and kind of being in the traumatic stage, it has a toll on the whole family, mentally, physically, as well as siblings and stuff like that. It does affect somewhat normal family life.”

In a follow-up interview with The Sun, the doting dad added: “It’s tragic what happened to Sarah and Tom. My heart goes out to their family, friends, bandmates and fans.

“It’s unthinkable, so horrible. It puts life into perspective, and how could it not? You have to live every day like it’s your last and really enjoy it.

“You have to put a positive spin on things and live how you want to,” he concluded.

It comes as the Everybody In Love singer prepares to perform with the rest of his band at the Girls Aloud charity concert in honour of the late singer.

Her former bandmates, Cheryl Tweedy, 38, Kimberley Walsh, 40, Nadine Coyle, 36, and Nicola Roberts, 36, have announced they will return to the stage in a special performance in Sarah’s honour.

And now Aston hopes to reunite with his bandmates Marvin Humes, 37, Oritse Williams, 35, and JB Gill, 35, for the one-off event later this year.

Speaking about his time at the newly installed park at the Ronald McDonald’s park, Aston explained the wonderful new playground is a “sanctuary for people” raising children with illnesses.

He said: “These kids were running around and families who are going through a tough time were able to come into this space and have a bit of normality in their day and have a bit of fun and have a bit of freedom.

“It’s just a place that I think is a bit of a sanctuary of relief for people. [You can] Have a cry, have a chat, have a bit of alone time or have a conversation with someone.”

For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk