Westlife star Mark Feehily has finally spoken out after a long and worrying absence, sharing an emotional update with fans following years of serious health struggles that forced him to step back from the band’s glittering 25th anniversary world tour.
Mark Feehily has shared an update with his fans following a period of ill health after battling several illnesses over the past few years
The 45-year-old singer posted on Instagram for the first time in more than a year, revealing that although he is not yet strong enough to return to the stage, he is ready to take a brave new step in his career — hosting three radio shows a week on RTÉ Radio 1 in Ireland.
Posting a photo of himself wearing headphones inside the studio, Mark wrote from the heart:
“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 band’s big World Tour launch knowing I won’t be able to be there with you all to join the party.”
The Westlife singer, 45, shared his first post in more than a year, as he revealed his career comeback plans to the delight of his followers (Mark pictured November 2021)
Despite his heartbreak at missing the celebrations, Mark said he had been deeply moved by the love fans have shown:
“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! That same phenomenal support you’ve blessed us with from day one in Sligo back in the late 90s.”
Mark went on to reflect on Westlife’s three-decade journey, describing “thousands of days and nights together on stage and in studios and on trains, planes and automobiles”, admitting it still “blows my mind” to be part of the band’s legacy.
The Irish native revealed that he will be hosting radio shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
But while the 25th anniversary tour is set to be one of the biggest of Westlife’s career, Mark made the painful admission that he simply is not ready to join his bandmates on the road.
“All of this really drives home the honest truth that I’m simply not ready to take on a massive world tour yet. My body and my mind need time.”
However, he revealed that sitting down to present radio shows is something he can manage — and it means more to him than fans might realise.
“Thankfully, sitting in a chair to do a radio show is a completely different physical and mental demand to doing a massive world tour.
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!”
In October, Westlife paid tribute to Mark on stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall to mark their 25th anniversary – after confirming he is ‘still part of the band’
Mark confirmed he will be hosting programmes on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on RTÉ Radio 1.
A devastating health journey
Mark’s health nightmare began in August 2020 after routine surgery led to complications that developed into sepsis. He was rushed to hospital and spent months in intensive care during the height of the Covid pandemic, undergoing emergency surgery.
In late 2021, he was struck down again, falling seriously ill before a scheduled concert and being diagnosed with pneumonia — forcing him to miss shows on Westlife’s Wild Dreams tour.
He later developed a large incisional hernia, requiring further major surgery. Reports state Mark has undergone four major operations related to these health battles since 2020.
‘We love him, we miss him’
The group, comprising Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne, celebrated their landmark with shows without Mark (pictured), who has taken a step back amid health woes
Despite his absence, Westlife paid an emotional tribute to Mark during their 25th anniversary show at London’s Royal Albert Hall in October.
Performing with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Shane Filan paused mid-concert to address the crowd:
“I want to take a minute to talk about Mark, who unfortunately is not with us tonight. But we love him, we miss him, and we cannot wait to have him back on this stage with us.”
Speaking to the crowd, lead singer Shane said: ‘I want to take a minute to talk about Mark, who unfortunately is not with us tonight. But we love him, we miss him, and we cannot wait to have him back on this stage with us’
During Flying Without Wings, The Voice star Kirsten Joy stood in to sing Mark’s iconic lines, while Shane dedicated the song to his bandmate.
During their rendition of 1999’s Flying Without Wings, the group opted to use The Voice and Clean Bandit collaborator Kirsten Joy (pictured) as a stand-in to sing Mark’s lines – which are often deemed the finest work in the group’s rich history
Westlife later confirmed that although Mark is unable to join the tour, he remains very much part of the band and features on their new music, including the upbeat track Chariot. The group are also set to release a greatest hits album featuring four brand-new songs in February.
Shane and the band belted out their biggest hits as a trio
The band are seen in their original formation in 2000 prior to Brian McFadden (L-R Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Brian McFadden, Nicky Byrne)
A teaser for the world tour — styled as an airport departures board — sent fans into a frenzy, nodding to their 2000 hit My Love and their classic album Coast To Coast.
In a statement, the band said:
“This year marks 25 years since we started this incredible journey together and it still feels like only the beginning…
New music, world tour, and that classic Westlife charm we all love — it’s such an exciting time.”
For Mark Feehily, the journey back is far from over — but after years of silence, fans are finally hearing his voice again.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/