28 February 2024 , 20:53
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Mark Feehily worried fans when he announced he was taking time out from the band to focus on his recovery from years of brutal health problems.
The 43-year-old singer has been a member of the chart-topping band since 1998 - but in recent years has been forced to drop out of live performances. On Wednesday, the Flying Without Wings singer shared a lengthy statement in which he revealed he had battled sepsis and pneumonia and had undergone numerous operations since 2020.
He then went on to explain he would be taking time out of Westlife for an unknown length of time as he continued to heal from his most recent round of surgery. The band are in the midst of an epic 96-show, two-year, world tour titled The Wild Dreams Tour which has already seen the boys perform in the UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North America.
The boys are due to commence the eleventh leg of the tour next month where they will play dates in Canada, the USA and Mexico - with the final leg taking them to Brazil where the tour will finally end on 24 March. Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Shane Filan will continue to tour without Mark. Over the months since the tour kicked off in England in July 2022, Mark has been absent for a number of dates.
Remaining Westlife members Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Shane Filan will continue to tour without Mark (FILE)Pneumonia battle
Fans were first worried for Mark’s health in November 2022 when he was forced to pull out of concerts in Newcastle as he contracted pneumonia. He shared news of his condition at the time while struggling with the illness.
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He explained: “I know it's scary when you first hear the word 'Pneumonia', but thankfully, I got to the doctor and the hospital very quickly and got on the antibiotics as soon as possible - so everything is currently under control. I have been informed that the quickest way to recover is to rest and continue the antibiotics. I'm feeling a bit better every day. The nurses and doctors are taking amazing care of me so it should all be over in no time.”
Sadly, Mark was unable to recover for the remainder of that leg of the tour meaning he missed out on shows in Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bournemouth, London, Brighton, Nottingham, Cardiff, Belfast and Dublin. He returned when the following leg began in February 2023 as the group toured parts of Asia including Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
Surgery recovery
Mark missed out on tour dates in Europe and Mexico between May and July in 2023 as he recovered from surgery. Mark opened up about his need to step back from touring at the time, saying: “I want you to know that I was very excited to see you all and perform but this is something that can’t be avoided and I know that you will all still have the time of your lives at what will be some amazing shows! I’ll be there with you all in spirit and very much look forward to getting back on stage with the lads very soon!”
This week he explained why he had been absent from shows in 2023 in more detail. He said: “I was referred to a consultant who told me I needed more surgery which I went ahead with… meaning I was forced to miss more of The Wild Dreams tour. Three months after that surgery, I tried my best to soldier on for you guys and to go back on tour but unfortunately, the physical demands of the concerts and extensive travel were proving too much for me.”
Mark went on to explain that he then discovered he required even further surgery - which he said was completed, but he didn’t specify when he went back under the knife. He said: “I developed a very large ‘incisional hernia’ and I was told that I needed further surgery to fix it. This would be my fourth major surgery since [2020]… But I had no option.”
Scary sepsis battle
Ahead of the 2024 North American leg of the Wild Dreams Tour, Mark shared a lengthy statement gently letting fans know he would not be attending any of the North or South American tour dates. He revealed he had been battling various severe health issues since 2020.
He explained: “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 to A&E. I eventually ended that awful day in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where I was informed that due to a complication with 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 went on to explain that he spent months in hospital while he recovered - and that his health scare coincided with Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, meaning he was denied seeing his family and friends. He said that this then had a major impact on his mental health - and his health has continued to be rocked in the years since.
He then explained this most recent round of surveys went well, but he was being forced to step away from performing in order to heal. He concluded: “I have to make the right decision for my health and wellbeing, for my family, and for myself as a person. Please don’t worry. Sending the most positive vibes in your direction, I will see you very soon beautiful people!”
Westlife's Mark Feehily announces return to band's tour after health battle