Latest news with #WildDreams
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Mark Feehily's years-long health woes as Westlife icon makes agonising decision
Mark Feehily sadly won't be rejoining his Westlife bandmates on stage for the band's 25th anniversary celebrations, as his temporary break from the group is extended Westlife fans are waking up gutted this morning following the sad announcement that Mark Feehily won't be joining the band's 25th anniversary celebrations. Mark announced his shock exit from the Irish group last year, amid some serious health battles, but many had been hopeful he would return to the stage soon. "It is with the utmost level of regret that I must now temporarily stand down from all Westlife touring until a time that I have had the chance to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have been through as an individual," Mark emotionally revealed in February 2024. It sadly looks like Mark's temporary break has been extended for the foreseeable."Sadly, Mark will be unable to join the celebrations. We hope he can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always," Westlife wrote in a statement shared with fans on Wednesday night, signed by Mark alongside his bandmates. Mark has been quiet over recent months, rarely posting to social media. His health troubles began five years ago when he underwent surgery and developed severe sepsis due to complications. August 2020 Mark shared with his fans that he was "rushed to A&E" just days after the operation, showing symptoms of the potentially deadly infection, which required immediate emergency surgery. "I had developed severe sepsis, a life threatening infection that would require immediate emergency surgery to rectify the problem and basically save my life", he told fans at the time. After the emergency procedure, Mark spent several months in hospital, including a lengthy stay in intensive care during a particularly challenging and scary time of the Covid-19 pandemic. "I spent the next few months in hospital," Mark recalled. "For months, due to the strict Covid restrictions, I was not allowed any visitors including my fiancé and my then 10-month-old daughter. "It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU. I was eventually discharged from hospital in December 2020 but I have had ongoing medical problems as a result of it all." November 2021 Despite recovering enough to join his Westlife bandmates on their Wild Dreams tour in 2021, Mark was forced to withdraw from the tour later that year after falling seriously ill with pneumonia before a UK concert. "I was told I had to go straight home to recover and regrettably miss the rest of the concerts that December," a dejected Mark confirmed. May 2022 In May 2022, Mark underwent further surgery and three months post-operation he attempted to "soldier on" for his fans by returning to the tour. However, he confessed that the "physical demands of the concerts and extensive travel" were too much. He developed "a very large incisional hernia" and later that year, Mark had yet another operation to "fix it". "This would be my fourth major surgery since the start of it all, but I had no option." February 2024 After enduring his fourth operation in as many years, Mark announced that he is temporarily stepping back from all Westlife touring until he can fully recuperate from the "turbulent journey" he has been on. "That surgery took place recently and thankfully it went according to plan but with that, my recovery must now become my absolute priority at this time." With a heavy heart, Mark announced that he will be taking a temporary break from Westlife's touring schedule, saying: "It is with the utmost level of regret that I must now temporarily stand down for all Westlife touring until a time that I have had the chance to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have been through as an individual." He reassured fans, "Believe me, I wish things could be different," and urged them, "please don't worry". June 2004 - Final Instagram post In June 2004, a few months on from announcing his break from Westlife duties, Mark returned to social media to launch a new line of clothes by Human Collective to celebrate Pride month. "As much as I've been on a bit of a social media detox, I have jumped on a couple of times and I just wanted to say a huge heartfelt thank you for all of the amazing messages," Mark says towards the end of his video message. "I'm proud to have you guys as fans and on that note, Happy Pride from my family to yours and we'll see you very, very soon. Lots of love." In the wake of Westlife and Mark's announcement on Wednesday night, fans have been commenting on Mark's year-old video. "We miss you, Mark. I'm hoping you're feeling OK and we can see you on stage as soon as you're feeling," one told the star today, with another adding: "Just realised it's been a year since this last post. We hope you are ok."
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Westlife star missing from upcoming shows after concerning year-long silence
Westlife are planning a new album and some 'special shows' to mark their 25th anniversary, but member Mark Feehily is missing from the celebrations following his health complications. The Flying Without Wings boy band – made up of Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Mark – have teased some exciting projects in honour of the milestone, but they have confirmed Mark, 45, isn't able to be part of the plans. In a statement on X, they wrote: 'To our amazing fans, we would like to take this opportunity to share some very important news with you all. 'We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 25th Anniversary celebrations… 'On the 9th February 2001 we kicked off our first ever world tour at the Newcastle Arena. Who would have thought we would still be here 25 years later? 'We have so many exciting plans to share with you very soon which will include new music, an album, special shows and many, many more surprises along the way.' The band continued: 'Sadly, Mark will be unable to join the celebrations. 'We hope we can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always.' Mark stepped back from the group in February 2024 mid-tour due to health issues. He's been out of the public eye and appears to have been off social media for a year now, almost to the day. Explaining his health problems in a lengthy post as he bowed out of the tour last year, Mark said that his 'challenges' began in August 2020 while having surgery, which led to needing intensive care treatment. In the middle of Westlife's Wild Dreams worldwide tour, due to complications Mark ended up back in hospital and was told he had pneumonia. He had surgery again in May 2022. Mark detailed his 2020 hospital experience on Instagram: 'I spent the next few months in hospital. It was during lockdown. For months, due to strict Covid restrictions, I was not allowed any visitors including my fiancée [Cailean O'Neill] and my then 10-month-old daughter [Layla].' 'It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU.' He announced at the time: 'It is with the utmost level of regret that I must now temporarily stand down from all Westlife touring until a time that I have had the chance to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have been through as an individual. 'I wish things could be different!' The band added in their own statement: 'We would like to take this opportunity to send our brother, best friend and fellow band-mate, Mark so many well wishes as he takes the necessary time he needs to recover.' Mark was seemingly last active on social media on June 11, 2024, when he wished his Instagram followers a happy pride month, and he hasn't posted on his grid since. Fans noticed this absence as the big Westlife 25-years announcement came, with many taking to his social media to wish him well. kellzbellz29 wrote: 'Just realised it's been a year since this last post. We hope you are ok.' bramhaldrowena commented: 'We miss you, Mark. I'm hoping you're feeling OK and we can see you on stage as soon as you're feeling ready.' d_for_duls said: 'It's been a year since we last heard from you. Hope you're keeping well. Get well soon. Sending blessings and good vibes your way.' All four members of Westlife – which originally featured Brian McFadden before he left after six years in 2004 – 'can't quite believe' their longevity. More Trending The statement announcing the 25-years celebrations continued: 'The four of us can't quite believe it's been 25 years. 'We could only have dreamt of the continued love and loyalty you have consistently shown us around the world. 'We are so lucky to have all of you with us and we can't wait to celebrate together! 'Happy 25th To Us All!' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Westlife announces 'special' 25th anniversary plans without Mark Feehily
Westlife are planning a new album and some "special shows" to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The Flying Without Wings boy band - made up of Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily - have teased some exciting projects to mark the milestone, but they have confirmed Mark isn't able to be part of the plans. In a statement on X, they wrote: "To our amazing fans, we would like to take this opportunity to share some very important news with you all. "We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 25th Anniversary celebrations... "On the 9th February 2001 we kicked off our first ever world tour at the Newcastle Arena. Who would have thought we would still be here 25 years later? "We have so many exciting plans to share with you very soon which will include new music, an album, special shows and many, many more surprises along the way." Mark stepped back from the group in February 2024 due to health issues, and he is not ready to rejoin them at this time. The band continued: "Sadly, Mark will be unable to join the celebrations. "We hope we can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always." All four members of Westlife - which originally featured Brian McFadden before he life after six years in 2004 - "can't quite believe" their longevity. The statement continued: "The four of us can't quite believe it's been 25 years. "We could only have dreamt of the continued love and loyalty you have consistently shown us around the world. "We are so lucky to have all of you with us and we can't wait to celebrate together! "Happy 25th To Us All!" In late 2022, Mark was struck down with pneumonia and had to pull out of the band's Wild Dreams tour, although he would later return early the next year. In February 2024, he opened up about further health complications and surgeries - including time in the ICU - and announced he was "temporarily" stepping back. He said at the time: "It is with the upmost level of regret that I must now temporarily stand down from all Westlife touring until a time that I have had the chance to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have been through as an individual. "I wish things could be different!" The band added in their own statement: "We would like to take this opportunity to send our brother, best friend and fellow band-mate, Mark so many well wishes as he takes the necessary time he needs to recover."
