Mark Feehily has reached out to fans and informed them he will be stepping back from Westlife due to medical issues.
The band are currently in the midst of their massively successful Wild Dreams tour, which has seen them travelling the globe, from Ireland to Indonesia.
But Mark has revealed he will not be joining his bandmates for the five concerts scheduled for this summer.
Taking to Instagram, the Sligo native wrote: “This summer, our Wild Dreams tour continues and we are so blessed for the huge love and support we receive from our fans worldwide. We have five shows taking place this summer from May-July and it is with deep regret that I will not be able to join Shane, Kian and Nicky on stage for those shows.”
Continuing: “This week I have to undergo a little bit of surgery. There is nothing to worry about I promise, but under doctor’s orders this surgery needs to happen sooner rather than later and will also require some recovery time throughout the summer.”
Mark will be missing their performances in Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, Cardiff and Henley and was quick to offer his apologies to fans in those regions.
“To all our amazing fans in Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, Cardiff and Henley, 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! Much love to you all and keep in touch – I’ll still be around to say hi,” he wrote.
Fans were quick to share there well wishes, and reassure him that they understood.
One wrote: “Sending you love for an easy & speedy recovery. Look after yourself”
Another commented: “You will be missed Markus but the important thing is your health, so take care & rest up. Thanks for letting the fans know first hand & not through the grapevine. Also I just know the lads will carry on & do us all proud just like they did before”
While a third fan said: “Speedy recovery Mark and as much as I missed you in the 3 arena in December the boys did a fantastic job
Nobody will he disappointed with their performances!! They will smash it on your behalf, get well soon, your health is your priority”
This isn’t the first time Mark has experienced health complications while touring.
During the 2022 leg of their Wild Dreams tour, the father-of-one unfortunately caught pneumonia in November, and missed some of their gigs while he recovered.
Opening up about his experience during an appearance on Such A Good Feeling with Steve Anderson, the Sligo man confessed he was extremely disappointed at missing parts of their tour, and especially not being able to perform with the band during their New Year’s Eve concert in Dublin.
Sharing what happened when her feel ill, Mark explained: “At the start, the word pneumonia scared the living daylights out of me when the doctor first said it to me. But I suppose they broke it down and said to me ‘it’s just a very bad chest infection and as long as it’s treated properly and you take care of yourself it’s fine,’” he explained.
Mark had to drop out of the tour, and head home to Ireland to recover, during which time the 42-year-old felt like he was experience Covid-19 restrictions again.
“I very, unfortunately, had to go home and it was almost being back in lockdown because, for the first couple of weeks, I was just in bed all the time, and then for the next couple of weeks, I couldn’t leave the house. It was really cold so I was afraid to go outside,” he confessed.
While Mark was disappointed to miss the band’s concerts, he was quick to praise the Westlife lads for keeping the show going.
Gushing: “But as I said the boys had my full support and I am in awe [of them]. I mean they had a couple of hours’ notice before the first gig and all of my bits and piece had to be replaced or sung by someone else, the choreography had to be changed and they absolutely nailed it.”
“And the fans supported them and the fans sang along here and there to show support and there was a really positive atmosphere all around.”
The time of work was not appreciated by the father-of-one saying there was “this big dark cloud” hanging over his head. Adding: “It’s the first time any of us has missed a stint of gigs like that.”
But looking on the bright side, Mark shared: “It’s the first time any of us has missed a stint of gigs like that. Put it this way, I am very glad it’s behind me now and I am really looking forward to all the rest of the tour coming up.”
Here’s wishing Mark a speedy and safe recovery.
