Westlife star Mark Feehily confirms break from band for health reasons

Westlife star Mark Feehily has confirmed he is stepping back from the band, due to health reasons. 

He announced the news on Wednesday evening on his social media accounts. 

The singer (43) recently underwent surgery to treat a hernia and was also treated for sepsis during lockdown in August 2020.

He confirmed that he will not be going on tour to America after undergoing more surgery to treat a hernia.

The band is busy preparing for its upcoming first US tour where Westlife will play Canada, the USA, Mexico and Brazil.

In a statement on his social media, Mark wrote: “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.

“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," he outlined.

Mark went on to say that the surgery was a success but he has been advised to recover and not go back on tour.

“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.

“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.

“To my parents, brothers, close family and friends, thank you for the relentless support as always. Thank you to my beautiful daughter for giving me constant daily motivation and inspiration to keep fighting through all of this and to get better asap and to my partner Cailean for being there through the most challenging of times.

“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."

“To all the medical staff who held my hand and kept my spirit lifted (you know who you are!), my heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one of you," Mark said.