Westlife singer Mark Feehily has shared a health update after being diagnosed with a string of serious health issues in recent years.
The Irish singer, 45, rose to fame as part of the pop group, which was formed in 1998 and have since gone on to release 12 albums and embark on 13 world tours.
However, in 2020 he spent several months in intensive care after contracting ‘life-threatening’ sepsis following a routine surgery.
The following year he then fell seriously ill again and was diagnosed with pneumonia, before later also facing another setback when developing a hernia.
He was then forced to pull out of Westlife’s world tour and has largely stayed out of the spotlight since then.
However, this week Mark made a return to social media for the first time in nearly 18 months, in which he revealed a career comeback.
Posting a photo of himself at the RTE Radio 1 studio in Ireland with a pair of headphones on, Mark announced he will be hosting three shows at the station.
The lengthy message began with him writing: ‘Listen to my shows this Wed/Thurs/Fri on @rteradio1! Heya! A little message from me to you from the heart. It’s been so long, sorry about the lack of posting…I’ve missed ya!
‘It’s been quite difficult to watch my bands big World Tour launch knowing I won’t be able to be there with you all to join the party.
‘However, it’s been really amazing to see our band still flying so high, and the incredible global support that’s still there for us. YOUR support!’
He went on: ‘That same phenomenal support you have blessed us with from day ONE in Sligo back in the late 90s & as we slowly but surely went on to build the Westlife legacy piece by piece for over 3 decades, literally thousands of days and nights together on stage and in studios and on trains, planes and automobiles, is something that blows my mind to this day, something I am so proud to be a part of.
‘The 25th anniversary tour is gonna be a really special celebration of what we have all built and achieved together!’
The singer then thanked fans for their ongoing support but added he still hasn’t recovered fully in order to be able to perform with the band again anytime soon.
‘All of this really drives home the honest truth that I’m simply not ready to take on a massive world tour yet,’ he shard.
‘My body and my mind need time. However, thankfully, sitting in a chair to do a radio show is a completely different physical and mental demand to doing a massive world tour and I feel very lucky to be able to do this new @rteradio1 show.
‘It’s not quite a stadium show but it’s a HUGE deal and achievement for me! Right now, to sit back and do absolutely nothing would make things much worse for me both medically and emotionally – so here goes!’
Soon after his post went live, Mark was quickly flooded with messages of support from fans.
‘Waiting for the right time for you to return and join the band but most of all we fans are so happy just to see you post on here, to find you getting better. It’s like a New Year’s gift,’ Sveta commented.
‘Well done Mark. Fantastic update on everything – wishing you nothing but happiness and health. Enjoy every moment of the radio show journey too. Mind yourself,’ Dec shared.
‘You have no idea how thrilled I was to see your reel. Your words were so wonderful. Take the time to get well; we’ll keep waiting for you. Good luck with your new project; we’ll be listening,’ Cintia added.
Mark’s health issues began in August 2020 after he’d undergone a routine surgery but then faced ‘severe’ pain and was rushed to A&E – before receiving his sepsis diagnosis.
He was almost immediately taken to ICU. Speaking about the health scare, last year he recalled: I had developed severe sepsis, a life-threatening infection that would require immediate emergency surgery to rectify the problem and basically save my life.’
With this all happening at the height of the pandemic too, Mark recovered in almost complete isolation and wasn’t allowed any visitors – including his fiancé Cailean O’Neill and their 10-month-old daughter Layla.
‘It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU,’ he explained.
Although he managed to make it through, which came just in time for Westlife’s Wild Dreams world tour in late 2021, he had to pull out after being diagnosed with pneumonia after becoming sick just before a show in Newcastle.
Symptoms of sepsis
Sepsis can be hard to spot, but can be life threatening.
Symptoms in adults or children include:
- Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet - Having a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it
- Has difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
- Has a very high or low temperature, feels hot or cold to the touch, or is shivering
If you think you or someone you look after has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
While Mark attempted to continue on the tour, the stress on his body then lead to him developing a ‘very large incisional hernia’.
‘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,’ he previously told fans.
After all of this, Mark then had to undergo yet another major surgery, eventually announcing in February last year that he had to cancel all tour commitments – which came just days before they were due to start their first ever tour of America.
‘It is with the upmost 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,’ he said at the time.
A few months ago, the band – whose current line-up includes Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Bryne – announced an upcoming tour to mark their 25th anniversary.
Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour will kick off in September next year, with shows to be played around the UK and Europe. The band will also be releasing a new album 25 – The Ultimate Collection, with old favourites and new singles.
However soon after the tour was announced, the band shared a statement on social media which said he was not well enough to take part. ‘Sadly, Mark will be unable to join the celebrations. We hope he can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always,’ they wrote.
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