Westlife star Mark Feehily has announced his temporary departure from the Irish boyband, just days before they embark on their first US tour.
Feehily enjoyed huge commercial success in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe with bandmates Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Brian McFadden and Nicky Byrne following their formation in 1998.
But prolonged ill health has caused the singer, 43, to withdraw from the band in a bid to recover after being diagnosed with sepsis.
On Instagram, he wrote: ‘Hello and much love to everyone! I’m Mark. Most of you know that I have had some health problems in the past.
‘Actually, it all started 3.5 years ago, in August 2020, when I had surgery. A few days after this surgery I felt intense pain and was rushed to the emergency room.
Westlife star Mark Feehily has announced his temporary departure from the Irish boyband, just days before they embarked on their first US tour.
“I finally finished that horrible day in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where I was informed that due to a complication with the surgery, I had developed severe ‘Sepsis’, a life-threatening infection that would require immediate emergency surgery to rectify the problem .and basically save my life.’
He added: “I spent the next few months in hospital. It was during lockdown. “For months, due to strict Covid restrictions, I was not allowed visitors, including my fiancé and 10-month-old daughter.
“It was a very difficult time physically and mentally, not to mention traumatic having to spend so much time in the ICU.”
‘At the end of 2021, I became seriously ill in Newcastle before a gig and ended up back in A&E, this time being told I had pneumonia. They told me I had to go straight home to recover and unfortunately miss the rest of the concerts that December.
“I was referred to a consultant who told me I needed further surgery, and I went ahead in May 2022, meaning I was forced to miss further The Wild Dreams tour.
‘Three months after that surgery, I did my best to move on with you and get back on tour, but unfortunately the physical demands of concerts and long travel were proving too much for me.
‘I developed a very large ‘incisional hernia’ and was told I needed more surgery to fix it. This would be my fourth major surgery since it all started, but I had no other option.’
‘I developed a very large ‘incisional hernia’ and was told I needed more surgery to fix it. This would be my fourth major surgery since it all started, but I had no other option.’
Feehily enjoyed huge commercial success in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe with bandmates Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Brian McFadden and Nicky Byrne.
But prolonged ill health has seen Mark withdraw from the band in a bid to recover after being diagnosed with sepsis.
Confirming his temporary hiatus from the band, he wrote: “It is with the greatest level of regret that I must now temporarily withdraw from all Westlife tours until such time as I have had the opportunity to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have had.” . we have passed as an individual.
‘Believe me, I wish things could be different! I would like to thank you very much for your support and understanding of me and my health over the past few years.’
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body releases chemicals to fight an infection.
These chemicals damage the body’s own tissues and organs and can cause shock, organ failure, and death.
Organ failure and death are more likely if sepsis is not recognized early and treated immediately.
Mark’s departure from the group comes after a series of health problems in recent years, with the singer forced to leave Westlife’s summer shows in May.
He revealed to his fans online that his doctor had given him strict orders to rest after the surgery.
Mark wrote: ‘Hello lovely people, I’m Mark. This summer, our Wild Dreams tour continues and we are so blessed by the enormous love and support we receive from our fans around the world. We have five shows taking place this summer from May to July.
“And I deeply regret not being able to join Shane, Kian and Nicky on stage for those shows.”
Mark explained: ‘I have to have a little surgery this week.
“There’s nothing to worry about, I promise, but as directed by the doctor, this surgery should be done sooner rather than later and will also require some recovery time throughout the summer.
“To all our amazing fans in Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, Cardiff and Henley, I want you to know that I was so excited to see you all and perform, but this is something that can’t be helped and I know everyone will.” You still have the time of your lives in what will be incredible shows!
‘I’ll be there with you all in spirit and I’m looking forward to getting back on stage with the boys very soon!
‘Much love to you all and stay in touch. I will still be here to greet you. YOU WILL BE MISSED’
Mark’s departure from the group comes after a series of health problems in recent years, with the singer forced to leave Westlife’s summer shows in May.
Mark had also previously overcome a battle with pneumonia that forced him to take time off work, before being cleared in January 2023.
Mark had been performing around the world with Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne on The Wild Dreams Tour, which will conclude in Brazil in March.
Bandmate Nicky Byrne showed his support by leaving strong arm and heart emojis in the comments section below the caption.
Mark had also previously overcome a battle with pneumonia that forced him to take time off work, before being cleared in January 2023.
Sharing a clip of himself smiling at the camera, Markus wrote: ‘Hi everyone, good news… I’ll be flying WITHOUT WINGS once again! Finally the doctor has said that I can start to get back to normal.
“I was in his waiting room earlier worried that he was going to say, ‘No, you’re not okay yet,’ but he was very happy with how I am.”
Mark said he has been struggling in recent weeks since he was forced to pull out of a Westlife show in Manchester in November.
He said: ‘I have many thanks to give. I won’t lie, although there are a lot of people much worse off than me, the last 6 weeks have been very difficult.
“Strangely, the hardest thing was not being sick (that wasn’t easy either!), it was having no choice but to sit back and watch my own band tour without me and miss all the shared moments of joy and happiness with each other guys on stage and of course the interaction with the audience and fans.
‘@ShaneFilanOfficial, @NickyByrneInsta and @KianEgan you three legends guys re-choreographed and rearranged the whole show about an hour’s notice that night in Newcastle when I had to make the horrible phone call to tell you I couldn’t do it. the show…
‘The way you handled it shows how talented and professional you three are! You kept the @westlife flag flying for the rest of December and I’m so grateful for that. Love ❤️’.
Mark had been performing around the world with Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne on The Wild Dreams Tour, which will conclude in Brazil in March.
His tour hasn’t been without its dangers, as Nicky fell off the stage at his gig in Glasgow, leaving him with raw red bruises.
Mark urged fans not to worry when he informed them of his pneumonia diagnosis, stating that while it was “scary” to hear “everything is currently under control.”
He wrote: “First of all I would like to sincerely thank everyone for sending their messages of love and get well soon, it means a lot.”
“I was really bummed to miss the weekend shows in Newcastle, but I started to feel quite unwell on Friday and the doctors confirmed it was a bout of pneumonia.”
Mark continued: ‘I know it’s scary when you first hear the word ‘pneumonia’, but luckily, I got to the doctor and hospital very quickly and took antibiotics as soon as possible. So currently everything is under control.
‘I have been informed that the quickest way to recover is to rest and continue the antibiotics. I feel a little better every day. The nurses and doctors are taking great care of me, so it should all be over in no time.