Mark Feehily Breaks Silence on Health Battle as He Launches Radio Return

Westlife Star Opens Up About Ongoing Recovery

Westlife member Mark Feehily has issued a rare health update to fans ahead of the Irish boyband’s 25th anniversary in 2026. The 45-year-old singer, who has been absent from touring duties since early 2024, shared an emotional message with supporters as his bandmates prepare for a major world tour celebration.

Mark explained his health is still not where he needs it to be to return to work, writing: “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 & my mind need time.” Despite the disappointment of missing the anniversary celebrations, the Irish star has found a way to reconnect with his audience.

A Difficult Medical Journey

Mark revealed the extent of his health episode began 3.5 years ago in August 2020 when he had surgery. Within a few days of this surgery he was in severe pain and was rushed into A&E, eventually ending that day in ICU where he was informed that due to a complication with the surgery, he had developed severe sepsis, a life-threatening infection. The 45-year-old added that his health deteriorated again in 2021 when he developed pneumonia, leading to him missing shows on Westlife’s 2022 Wild Dreams Tour.

As a result, Feehily said he would have to “temporarily stand down from all Westlife touring” as he had to “make the right decision for my health and wellbeing, for my family, and for myself as a person”.

Radio Return Marks Positive Step

In encouraging news for fans, the 45-year-old has revealed he’ll be hosting a radio show three times over the New Year period on RTE Radio 1. The series will see Mark guide listeners through the tracks that have shaped his remarkable career. Feehily explained that sitting in a chair to do a radio show is a completely different physical and mental demand to doing a massive world tour and he feels very lucky to be able to do this new show, calling it a huge deal and achievement for him.

Looking Ahead

Westlife, made up of Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, and Kian Egan, will head out on a world tour in September 2026, performing 13 dates in Dublin before heading to the UK for shows in London, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Brighton, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and Belfast. While Feehily has stepped away from Westlife touring duties, Shane Filan has shot down insinuation that he would be leaving the band completely, stating he’s unable to join the tour unfortunately but being on the new song is very important.

For devoted Westlife fans, Mark Feehily’s radio return represents a meaningful step forward in his recovery journey, offering hope that one day he may rejoin his bandmates on stage when his health permits.