DANCING On Ice star Siva Kaneswaran broke down in tears as he spoke about his his late pal and bandmate Tom Parker on Channel 5 news.
The Wanted star, 34, joined newsreader Dan Walker on Tuesday’s show and recalled his emotional tribute performance dedicated to Tom, who died of a brain tumour in March last year.
Dan said: “The tribute you did for Tom, many people will know that he sadly passed away last year, really great friend of yours and bandmate.
“What was that like performing to that song? He sang the first line, didn’t he?”
Siva struggled to get his words out and became visibly emotional.
He paused for a brief moment and said: “I’m getting emotional ten seconds into the interview.”
Fighting back the tears, a choked up Siva continued: “It was beautiful because I just wanted to deliver a nice performance for him and a nice memory for his wife and kids.
“When his voice started, if you look at the opening scene, I’m literally gasping, thinking ‘Tom, get me through this’,
“It worked out well and I made a moment and a core memory for the kids.”
“They asked me how I was feeling – It was minute by minute. I was crying one second and I’m okay the next. It could have gone any way but I’m so happy it went that way.”
The Channel 5 host then asked Siva how he was dealing with his grief.
He explained: “I’ve tried to keep busy and use the difficulty of what happened and use it for good and keep on creating awareness and keep his memory going.
“He stood for something and I want to keep that going for him and his family.
“We’re still grieving it’s not even been a year yet – it’s just to make sure to keep communicating for everyone who loved him.”
Siva skated to the band’s own hit Gold Forever, which was released to raise money for charity.
Tom’s wife Kelsey wiped away tears at the end of the poignant performance, with viewers at home also emotional.
One wrote: “What a beautiful tribute to Tom Parker. I heavily sobbed at the end – the picture got me.”
When asked by Holly Willoughby how he managed to get through his performance, he said he was “still shaking.”
Speaking on his performance, Siva added: “I’m so happy I get to celebrate Tom.”
Before his performance, Siva said it was a “pleasure” to know his friend Tom.
“Growing up with him was a pleasure. He always shone,” he said.
“I’ve been trying to find the words to figure out how I feel about him not being around. It’s really hard. Really hard. I miss him a lot.”
