Max George of The Wanted fought back tears as he dedicated his Tipping Point victory to late bandmate Tom Parker.
Parker died last year at the age of 33, two years after being diagnosed with an incurable brain cancer.
He was survived by his three-year-old wife, Kelsey Parker, and his two little children, Aurelia, now three, and Bodhi, now two.
Max, 34, participated on the game show this week, where he competed against Linda Robson of Loose Women and Labour MP Jess Phillips to reach the final.
After that, he had to decide whether to go for the £20,000 jackpot or keep with the gains he’d accumulated rather than risk it all.
In the end, he earned £6,900 for his chosen charity, which he had picked since it was important to his heart.
When asked by host Ben Shephard how he felt with his winnings, Max replied: ‘I am happy with that. That was the right decision.’
The host then asked the artist where his prizes would be going.
Max, who was becoming upset, stated that the money will be donated to the Brain Tumour Charity.
He continued: ‘My very, very close friend, Tom, passed away recently from a brain tumour, and they’re at the forefront of brain tumour research.’
Fighting back tears, Max addressed Ben and said: ‘And also, Ben, I want to say thank you to you because I asked you a while ago if we could get Tom on the show, and that’s why I’m here today.
‘So thanks to you. I’m really, really happy with that.’
Ben, clearly moved by the tribute, expressed his delight that Max was able to participate and play in Tom’s memory.
‘I remember what a great guy he was, and he loved the show, so I am chuffed to bits you could be here for him,’ he said.
‘And £6,900 will make a big difference to the charity.’
Kelsey celebrated her fifth wedding anniversary with her late spouse last month.
Sharing a video of herself in tears on social media, Kelsey said she ‘wasn’t having a great morning,’ on the ‘bittersweet’ day.
Explaining it was ‘devastating’ they had ‘only made it to three years married’, she did go on to say that she was grateful for the love and happiness they shared.
Tipping Point: Lucky Stars is streaming on ITVX.
Source My Celebrity Life.