Westlife’s Mark Feehily to take career break over health concerns

Westlife’s Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne | Image: Instagram/@westlife

Westlife member Mark Feehily announced he’s stepping back from band activities due to health reasons, as he disclosed he went on a surgery and needs to recover. 

On their official social media accounts, Feehily confirmed his soon-to-be absence from Westlife’s ongoing tour as he stressed he’s always been struggling with his health that began with a severe “sepsis.”

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“Most of you are aware that I have had some health challenges over the past while. It actually all started 3.5 years ago in August 2020 when I had surgery. Within a few days of this surgery I was in severe pain and was rushed into A&E. I eventually ended that awful day in 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 recalled. 

The band member detailed his experience going back and forth to attend to his medical state even during the Covid lockdown where he developed “pneumonia.” He stressed that the experience became physically and mentally exhausting for him. 

“In late 2021, I became very ill in Newcastle before a concert and ended up back in A&E, this time being told I had pneumonia. I was told I had to go straight home to recover and regrettably miss the rest of the concerts that December. I was referred to a consultant who told me I needed more surgery which I went ahead with in May 2022, meaning I was forced to miss more of ‘The Wild Dreams tour,’” he said. 

Feehily disclosed in his lengthy statement that he just underwent his fourth surgery and is currently recovering. He noted that in his state, he does not have the means to keep up with the physical demands of the concerts and extensive travel, so he needs to take a break from touring for now. 

“It is with the utmost level of regret that I must now temporarily stand down from all Westlife touring until a time that I have had the chance to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have been through as an individual. Believe me, I wish things could be different,” said the singer. 

The lead vocalist then went on to thank the fans, bandmates, family, friends, and medical staff for their continuous understanding and support of his current condition. He assured the fans that he would “see them” very soon once his health and wellbeing returned to normal.

Following Feehily’s statement, his band members  Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne wrote a joint message, extending their support to their mate and promising the fans that they would raise the Westlife flag “higher than ever for them.”

Westlife’s Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne’s statement on Mark Feehily’s career break announcement | Image: Facebook/Westlife

Westlife has taken their tour three times here in the Philippines, with 2023 being their last yet serenading the Filipino fans.