Ed Sheeran helped to pay Tom Parker's medical bills before his death

In an extract from the book, obtained by The Sun newspaper, Tom wrote:

"Pretty much from the moment I was diagnosed, Ed Sheeran reached out to me with an offer to do anything he could to help.

"Ed and I have known each other since he joined The Wanted on our tour bus during a promotion trip in America more than ten years ago.

"We've always run into each other over the years and had a great relationship.

"I've never publicly said this before (and he'll probably be mad that I'm doing it now) but Ed is a very special man - he even helped out with my medical bills when I was seeking other treatment options and having private immunotherapy.

"He didn't need to do any of that, but my wife Kelsey and I are so grateful to him for his support, it meant the world."

Tom also wrote about how terrified he was when he first received his diagnosis.

He wrote: "I couldn't process the information - it was truly staggering.

I just kept asking myself how a 32-year-old father, with a wife who was

35 weeks pregnant, could receive such world-shattering news.

"I was absolutely petrified - I couldn't stop thinking about death."

'Hope: My Inspirational Life' by Tom Parker, will be published on May 26 by Blink Publishing.