fans have expressed their concern after singer Mark Feehily pulled out of their ongoing tour due to
The 43-year-old took to Instagram on Wednesday to explain his decision, telling fans that his ‘challenges’ began in August 2020 whilst having surgery, which led to needing intensive care treatment.
Due to complications, he to save his life. The potentially fatal condition occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage the body’s tissues and organs.
Now that the recovering singer has pulled out of future Westlife tour dates, worried fans have expressed their concern, sending good wishes to one of the group’s original members.
On Instagram, devotee Claire said: ‘We are all worried about you and just want you to get better. Please don’t rush, take all the time you need.’
Over on Reddit, Hassaan commented: ‘Oh god, I didn’t realise he had it that bad in 2020. I feel for him, as it must be frustrating, but I just hope he’s better soon.’
A Westlife fan account from Brazil said: ‘Please take care of yourself and we love you so much! Take your time that you need to heal! I’ll see you in the next tour happy and healthy!’
Mark detailed his hospital experience on Instagram: ‘I spent the next few months in hospital. It was during lockdown. For months, due to strict restrictions, I was not allowed any visitors including and my then ’ he recalled.
‘It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU.’
In the , which he performed alongside , and , Mark ended up back in hospital and was told he had pneumonia. He had surgery again in May 2022.
‘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,’ he continued.
Luckily, everything went according to plan, and Mark is now intent on making sure that his recovery is an ‘absolute priority’.
‘It is with the utmost 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!’
Mark then thanked medical staff, fans, family, friends and Cailean for their ongoing support.
‘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,’ the statement continued.
Fans can rest assured that Mark has every intention of returning to the fold once he is fully recovered.
He concluded the post by promising to see everyone soon and celebrating the longevity of Westlife.
‘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,’ he wrote.
His bandmates then shared a message of their own on the official social media page for the band.
‘We would like to take this opportunity to send our brother, best friend and fellow bandmate, Mark, so many well wishes as he takes the necessary time he needs to recover,’ it began.
‘Mark has been so strong in continuing to show up on stage despite going through such a turbulent time with his health and we completely respect that he must now focus on getting better so he can return to the stage when he is fit and well to do so! In the meantime, we will continue to fly the Westlife flag higher than ever for you guys.’
The trio will continue with the world tour which is set to make stops in Canada, the United States, and Mexico before concluding in Brazil on March 24.
Westlife were put together by in 1998 and originally included before he quit six years later. They have achieved an impressive 15 number-one singles, including Flying Without Wings, You Raise Me Up, and Uptown Girl, and 36 number-one albums worldwide.
