{"id":8136,"date":"2026-01-04T13:27:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T13:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/04\/westlife-star-mark-feehily-says-his-body-and-mind-need-time-after-life-threatening-condition\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T13:27:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T13:27:08","slug":"westlife-star-mark-feehily-says-his-body-and-mind-need-time-after-life-threatening-condition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.unlockingsite.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/04\/westlife-star-mark-feehily-says-his-body-and-mind-need-time-after-life-threatening-condition\/","title":{"rendered":"Westlife star Mark Feehily says his \u2018body and mind need time\u2019 after life-threatening condition"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Mandatory <\/div>
Westlife singer Mark Feehily is returning to the spotlight after suffering a series of health issues (Picture: Rex\/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Westlife<\/a> singer Mark Feehily<\/a> has shared a health<\/a> update after being diagnosed with a string of serious health issues in recent years.<\/p>\n

The Irish singer<\/a>, 45, rose to fame as part of the pop group, which was formed in 1998 and have since gone on to release 12 albums<\/a> and embark on 13 world tours.<\/p>\n

However, in 2020 he spent several months in intensive care after contracting \u2018life-threatening\u2019 sepsis following a routine surgery.<\/p>\n

The following year he then fell seriously ill again and was diagnosed with pneumonia<\/a>, before later also facing another setback when developing a hernia.<\/p>\n

He was then forced to pull out of Westlife\u2019s world tour<\/a> and has largely stayed out of the spotlight since then.<\/p>\n

However, this week Mark made a return to social media<\/a> for the first time in nearly 18 months, in which he revealed a career comeback.<\/p>\n

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\"Westlife, <\/div>
The singer rose to fame as part of the Irish boy band, which was formed in 1998 (Picture: United Archives via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DS5d3PojGh-\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Posting a photo of himself at the RTE Radio 1<\/a> studio in Ireland with a pair of headphones on, Mark announced he will be hosting three shows at the station.<\/p>\n

The lengthy message began with him writing: \u2018Listen to my shows this Wed\/Thurs\/Fri on @rteradio1! Heya! A little message from me to you from the heart. It\u2019s been so long, sorry about the lack of posting\u2026I\u2019ve missed ya!<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s been quite difficult to watch my bands big World Tour launch knowing I won\u2019t be able to be there with you all to join the party.<\/p>\n

\u2018However, it\u2019s been really amazing to see our band still flying so high, and the incredible global support that\u2019s still there for us. YOUR support!\u2019<\/p>\n

He went on: \u2018That same phenomenal support you have blessed us with from day ONE in Sligo back in the late 90s & as we slowly but surely went on to build the Westlife legacy piece by piece for over 3 decades, literally thousands of days and nights together on stage and in studios and on trains, planes and automobiles, is something that blows my mind to this day, something I am so proud to be a part of.<\/p>\n

\u2018The 25th anniversary tour is gonna be a really special celebration of what we have all built and achieved together!\u2019<\/p>\n

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\"Mandatory <\/div>
Westlife have continued to release new music and embark on world tours in recent years (Picture: James Edmond\/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\"BBC2 <\/div>
However last year Mark was forced to step down from the band (Picture: Jo Hale\/ Redferns)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The singer then thanked fans for their ongoing support but added he still hasn\u2019t recovered fully in order to be able to perform with the band again anytime soon.<\/p>\n

\u2018All of this really drives home the honest truth that I\u2019m simply not ready to take on a massive world tour yet,\u2019 he shard.<\/p>\n

\u2018My body and my mind need time. However, thankfully, sitting in a chair to do a radio<\/a> 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 @rteradio1 show.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s not quite a stadium show but it\u2019s a HUGE deal and achievement for me! Right now, to sit back and do absolutely nothing would make things much worse for me both medically and emotionally \u2013 so here goes!\u2019<\/p>\n

Soon after his post went live, Mark was quickly flooded with messages of support from fans.<\/p>\n

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\"Editorial <\/div>
He has been recovering from sepsis and pneumonia diagnosis’ (Picture: Ken McKay\/ ITV\/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C35iR79oueN\/?utm_source=ig_embed<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\u2018Waiting for the right time for you to return and join the band but most of all we fans are so happy just to see you post on here, to find you getting better. It\u2019s like a New Year\u2019s gift,\u2019 Sveta commented.<\/p>\n

\u2018Well done Mark. Fantastic update on everything \u2013 wishing you nothing but happiness and health. Enjoy every moment of the radio show journey too. Mind yourself,\u2019 Dec shared.<\/p>\n

\u2018You have no idea how thrilled I was to see your reel. Your words were so wonderful. Take the time to get well; we’ll keep waiting for you. Good luck with your new project; we’ll be listening,\u2019 Cintia added.<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s health issues began in August 2020 after he\u2019d undergone a routine surgery but then faced \u2018severe\u2019 pain and was rushed to A&E \u2013 before receiving his sepsis diagnosis.<\/p>\n

He was almost immediately taken to ICU. Speaking about the health scare, last year he recalled: I had developed severe sepsis, a life-threatening infection that would require immediate emergency surgery to rectify the problem and basically save my life.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\"Mark <\/div>
The singer was forced to spend months apart from his daughter while in hospital in 2020 (Picture: Instagram\/@markusmoments)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With this all happening at the height of the pandemic too, Mark recovered in almost complete isolation and wasn\u2019t allowed any visitors \u2013 including his fianc\u00e9 Cailean O’Neill and their 10-month-old daughter Layla.<\/p>\n

\u2018It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU,\u2019 he explained.<\/p>\n

Although he managed to make it through, which came just in time for Westlife\u2019s Wild Dreams world tour in late 2021, he had to pull out after being diagnosed with pneumonia after becoming sick just before a show in Newcastle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Symptoms of sepsis <\/h2>\n
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Sepsis can be hard to spot, but can be life threatening.<\/p>\n

Symptoms in adults or children include:<\/p>\n