Westlife star Mark Feehily has given fans a rare and candid update on his health, following a life-threatening battle with sepsis that forced him to leave the band. The 45-year-old singer has now revealed he is well enough to embark on a career comeback, with a new role hosting a radio show in Ireland.
A Harrowing Health Battle
Mark Feehily's health crisis began in 2020 after a routine surgery led to a diagnosis of sepsis. The serious complication of an infection then triggered pneumonia, leading to months spent in intensive care. The Irish vocalist has since undergone four major surgeries to address the ongoing complications from his initial illness.
This profound health scare led Feehily to make the difficult decision to quit Westlife in 2024, announcing he would not join bandmates Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne on their upcoming 25th-anniversary world tour. Sepsis, which can cause symptoms like severe breathing difficulties, pale skin, and extreme fatigue, can lead to multiple organ failure and death if not treated swiftly.
Embracing a New Chapter on the Airwaves
Despite the physical and emotional toll, Feehily is now charting a new path forward. He is set to present a programme three times a week on RTE Radio 1 in Ireland, the country's most-listened-to radio station. His shows will air every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
In a heartfelt Instagram post from the radio studio, the Sligo-born star explained his reasoning. "My body and my mind need time," he wrote. "However, thankfully, sitting in a chair to do a radio show is a completely different physical and mental demand to doing a massive world tour and I feel very lucky to be able to do this new show."
An Emotional Message to Fans
Feehily shared a photo of himself wearing headphones in the studio, accompanying a lengthy message to his supporters. He expressed how difficult it has been to watch Westlife launch their global tour without him, stating it was "quite difficult to watch my band's big World Tour launch knowing I won't be able to be there with you all."
He was quick to add, however, that it has been "really amazing to see our band still flying so high." The singer emphasised the importance of this new venture for his recovery, saying, "Right now, to sit back and do absolutely nothing would make things much worse for me both medically and emotionally – so here goes!" He described the radio opportunity as a "HUGE deal and achievement" in his current circumstances.
Westlife's 25th-anniversary tour is scheduled to commence in September 2026 in Aberdeen, running until the end of November. The tour includes dates across Europe, including Belgium, Holland, Norway, and Denmark. While his former bandmates entertain crowds worldwide, Mark Feehily will be focusing on his continued recovery and his new role behind the microphone, marking a brave and positive new chapter after his severe illness.
