In a heartfelt announcement, Mark Feehily of Westlife has revealed that he will be temporarily stepping down from the band to address ongoing health issues. The 43-year-old founding member, who has been dealing with complications from a series of surgeries and illnesses over the past few years, shocked fans with the news shared on his social media. His decision comes just ahead of the band’s highly anticipated headline shows in the U.S. this March, where they will perform as a trio in his absence.
Feehily’s health struggles began in 2020, following a major surgery that left him hospitalized for an extended period. During this challenging time, he contracted sepsis, which further complicated his recovery. In a candid Instagram post, Feehily reflected on the emotional and physical toll of his experience, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown when he was unable to see his family, including his fiancé and young daughter. He described the ordeal as “traumatic,” having to spend months in the ICU without loved ones by his side.
Despite his efforts to recover, Feehily faced additional setbacks. In late 2021, he fell ill again before a concert in Newcastle, diagnosed with pneumonia. This forced him to miss several shows, and he was advised by doctors to undergo more surgery. This led to him missing further performances on Westlife’s The Wild Dreams tour in 2022. Even after returning to the stage, Feehily developed an incisional hernia, which resulted in his most recent surgery, prompting doctors to recommend additional rest and recovery.
In his message, Feehily expressed deep regret over stepping away from the band’s upcoming tours but emphasized that his health must take priority. He thanked his bandmates—Shane, Kian, and Nicky—for their unwavering support and extended gratitude to his family and partner, Cailean, for their constant encouragement throughout this difficult journey. He reassured fans that, although he would not be physically present, he would continue to support Westlife from afar, encouraging his bandmates to “knock it out of the park” as they carry on with their performances.
Westlife responded with a statement expressing their full support for Feehily’s decision. They vowed to continue their tour with the same energy and commitment, dedicated to representing the Westlife legacy while Feehily focuses on his recovery. Fans around the world have shared messages of love and support for Mark, hoping for a full recovery and a swift return to the stage. We wish him all the best in his healing process and look forward to his eventual return.
