Westlife’s Mark Feehily has revealed that he will be taking a temporary break from the band’s touring activities due to health challenges. The 43-year-old Irish singer, who recently underwent surgery, shared that his recovery has become his top priority. Feehily disclosed ongoing medical issues stemming from surgery in August 2020, leading to severe sepsis and subsequent complications.

Over the past three and a half years, Feehily faced hospitalization during COVID lockdowns, a diagnosis of pneumonia, and the development of a significant “incisional hernia” that required surgical correction. Expressing regret in an Instagram statement, Feehily detailed that his recent surgery marked his fourth major procedure, emphasizing the necessity for prioritizing his recovery.

As a result, Feehily will miss the remaining shows of Westlife’s ongoing The Wild Dreams Tour, set to continue in the US and South America from March 11. Sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to infection, played a central role in Feehily’s health challenges. He thanked his family, bandmates, and medical professionals for their support and reassured fans about his return, emphasizing the importance of making the right decisions for his health and wellbeing.

The remaining Westlife members, Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne, pledged to continue touring and wished Feehily a swift recovery. Feehily’s health struggles previously caused him to miss some shows in 2022 after being diagnosed with pneumonia. Westlife, originally formed in 1998, achieved fame alongside former member Brian McFadden, disbanded in 2012, and reunited in 2018 without McFadden.