Mark has been forced to step away from performing with his Westlife bandmates as he recovers from a number of serious health issuesLONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Nicky Byrne of Westlife perform on stage during BBC2 Radio Live 2019 at Hyde Park on September 15, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Westlife star Mark Feehily has given the boy band’s adoring fans a rare health update after battling sepsis.

The Co Sligo singer has admitted that he still doesn’t feel ready to re-join his bandmates on their 25th anniversary tour due to ongoing health issues but Mark did have a positive update for fans as he slowly begins his career comeback, the Mirror reports.

While returning to the stage with Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne is not in Mark’s immediate future plans, the 45-year-old is set to present a show three times over the New Year’s period on RTE Radio 1, with Mark taking fans on a journey through the music that inspired him throughout his storied career.

Westlife singer Mark Feehily has issued a health update after battling a series of illnesses over the last few years(Image: Instagram)

Mark Feehily’s Musical Icons will air from today, December 31 to January 2 at 2pm.

Mark posted on Instagram: “My body and my mind need time. 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 @rteradio1 show.

“It’s not quite a stadium show but it’s 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 – so here goes!”

Mark was forced to withdraw from his commitments with Westlife in 2024 due to ongoing health issues. Having initially been diagnosed with sepsis following surgery in 2020, Mark also experienced pneumonia the following year and has undergone a number of serious operations.

On Tuesday night, the Irish music star posted a photograph of himself wearing headphones as he sat in the radio station. The lengthy message continued: “A little message from me to you from the heart. It’s been so long, sorry about the lack of posting… I’ve missed ya!… It’s been quite difficult to watch my bands big World Tour launch knowing I won’t be able to be there with you all to join the party.

“However, it’s been really amazing to see our band still flying so high, and the incredible global support that’s still there for us. YOUR support!”

Westlife’s 25th anniversary tour gets under way in September 2026 with a number of concerts at Dublin’s 3Arena. The tour will then take them to the United Kingdom before shows in France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and several other European countries.

Mark won’t be with the group, however, as he continues to recover from the effects of his health issues.

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