Westlife fans were deeply concerned when Mark Feehily announced he would temporarily step away from touring with the band. Now, the singer himself has opened up about the true and serious health challenges that forced his decision — and his story is more harrowing than many realized.
A Journey That Began in 2020: The First Crisis
Feehily’s health issues trace back to August 2020, when he underwent surgery. Within days, things took a dramatic turn: he says he was rushed to A&E in severe pain and eventually admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to life-threatening complications. (NationalWorld)
He developed severe sepsis, a dangerous infection that can rapidly become critical. (Music Times) The situation was dire: he needed emergency surgery to treat the sepsis, a procedure that “basically save[d] my life,” as he put it in his statement. (Music Times)
This wasn’t a quick in-and-out hospital visit. Feehily later explained he spent “the next few months” in hospital — during COVID lockdowns, no less. (NationalWorld) Because of strict restrictions, he couldn’t see his then-fiancé or his young daughter for extended periods, making his recovery not only physical but deeply isolating. (Hotpress)
He was eventually discharged by the end of that year (December 2020), but that was only the beginning of a very turbulent road. (Music Times)
Recurring Health Problems: Pneumonia and Hernia
In late 2021, while on tour, Feehily became seriously ill again. He developed pneumonia, which forced him to withdraw from several shows. (Sky News) He later said that being told he had pneumonia “scared the living daylights” out of him, initially fearing the worst. (BANG Premier)
Then came surgical complications. After trying to rejoin the tour, he discovered he had developed a very large incisional hernia, which required yet another operation. (Yahoo News) Feehily shared that over the span of a few years, this was his fourth major surgery since the initial emergency in 2020 — a startling number even for someone accustomed to the rigors of performing. (Hotpress)
Though the final surgery “went according to plan,” his doctors advised him to take significant time off. The physical demands of touring — constant travel, long nights on stage, and recovery in between — were proving to be too much, even as he tried to soldier on. (Yahoo News)
Stepping Back: Putting Recovery First
In February 2024, Feehily announced he was “temporarily standing down from all Westlife touring.” (Sky News) In his public statement, he emphasized that his recovery “must now become my absolute priority.” (Sky News)
He expressed genuine regret, saying, “Believe me, I wish things could be different.” (Hotpress) But by now, it was clear that he had walked through a very dark and difficult chapter — far more serious than what a typical bout of illness might suggest.
The Emotional Toll: An Out-of-Body Experience
Missing Westlife shows has clearly weighed on him emotionally. He described watching his bandmates perform while he lay bedridden as “an almost out-of-body experience.” (BANG Premier)
He also admitted that hearing the word “pneumonia” from his doctors terrified him at first, because he didn’t fully understand what it meant or how serious it could be. (Female First)
Why Fans Shouldn’t Panic — But Also Take It Seriously
While Feehily’s absence is a blow to fans, he’s not leaving Westlife permanently — at least, not right now. He’s paused touring to focus on healing, but he remains committed to his long-term recovery. (Hotpress)
He’s also expressed deep gratitude to his fans, bandmates, and family for their support: “Thank you so very much for your support and understanding of me and my health over the past few years.” (Music Times)
Bigger Picture: The Human Cost of Celebrity
Feehily’s story is a sobering reminder that even world-famous performers are not immune to serious health crises. The life of a touring musician isn’t just glamour — it’s physically demanding, emotionally draining, and even life-threatening.
His openness about his struggles may go some way toward destigmatizing conversations around health, surgery, and recovery, especially in an industry where “show must go on” is often taken as gospel.
Bottom line: Mark Feehily’s decision to pull out of the Westlife tour was not just a case of minor illness. It was the consequence of a multi-year, deeply challenging battle with sepsis, pneumonia, and a major hernia, compounded by multiple surgeries. He has chosen to prioritize his long-term health over immediate touring — a bold, difficult, and ultimately human decision.
If you’d like, I can also write a shorter news summary or a fan-friendly version of this for social media — would you like me to do that?
