Friday, March 01, 2024 – Westlife star, Mark Feehily has announced his temporary departure from the Irish boyband after falling ill with sepsis.
The singer, 43, took to his social media to share the sudden
news on Wednesday evening. Westlife is made up of Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Nicky
Bryne, and Mark and they were set to embark on their first US tour in a matter
of days.
Taking to the band's official account on Instagram,
Mark shared a lengthy message.
He said: "Hello and much love to you all! It's Mark
here.. 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.
It "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. I spent the next few months in hospital. It was during lockdown.
For months, due to strict Covid restrictions, I was not allowed any visitors
including my fiance and my then 10-month-old daughter. It was physically and mentally
a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in
ICU."
Mark shared he was discharged from hospital in December 2020
but has had ongoing medical problems ever since. He continued: "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.
"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. 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 the start of it
all, but I had no option."
Thankfully, the surgery went according to plan but Mark said
he needs to now focus on his recovery. "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 shared. "Believe me, I wish
things could be different! I would like to thank you so very much for your
support and understanding of me and my health over the past few years."
He went on to thank his loved ones and the medical team who
had supported him. Mark added: "To Shane, Kian and Nicky, I love you three
and I know you'll knock it out of the park. I'll be there with you in spirit
for each and every show whilst you continue to fly the Westlife flag around the
world."
He admitted: "But for now, 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 FOREVER! Love, Mark Feehily
xx."
Feehily enjoyed enormous commercial success across the
United Kingdom, Ireland, and mainland Europe with bandmates Shane
Filan, Kian Egan, Brian McFadden, and Nicky Byrne following their
formation in 1998.
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