As part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, Shane Filan, Nicky Bryne, and Kian Egan are scheduled to play at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday and Tuesday night.
Westlife will perform two massive concerts at the Royal Albert Hall this week to mark a significant anniversary.
The London gigs will mark 25 years of the band, coinciding with the release of four brand new songs and the launch of an upcoming world tour. While Shane Filan, Nicky Bryne and Kian Egan will be flying the flag for the Irish boyband, it’s been confirmed Mark Feehily will be unable to perform live with the group.
The 45-year-old has dealt with a number of health issues in recent years, which all started with a 2022 diagnosis of pneumonia. Fans of the vocal powerhouse will be thrilled to know that Mark will be a part of the celebrations in voice, even though he may not be making the trip.
Mark’s distinct vocals can be heard on new track Chariot, penned by songwriting maestro Ed Sheeran, as well as several tracks on the band’s new album.
Mark’s absence from the upcoming shows was made public in June as part of a lengthy conversation about their anniversary plans. Mark will not be able to join the celebrations, the band said in a statement. When he is ready and able, we hope he will be able to return to the stage. He continues to express his gratitude and love to you all.
The four of us are still in shock that 25 years have passed. You have consistently shown us us that we are still in love and loyal to them wherever we go. We are so blessed to have you all with us, and we look forward to sharing a happy birthday with you! Happy 25th Birthday to all of us! Love, Kian, Mark, Nicky, and Shane X.
Mark expresses his own opinion on the illness.
Just before his first ever tour of America, Mark announced a temporary break from Westlife last year.
Taking to Instagram at the time, he wrote: ‘Hello and much love to you all! It’s Mark here.. Most of you are aware that I have had some health challenges over the past while.
“I had surgery three years ago, and it actually all started.” I was rushed to A&, E within a few days of having this surgery because I was in severe pain.
‘I eventually ended that awful day in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where I was informed that due to a complication with the 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.’
I spent the next few months in the hospital, he continued. It occurred during a lockdown. I was prevented from visiting my fiance and my then-total 10-month-old daughter for months due to strict Covid restrictions.
It was physically and mentally very difficult, and the ICU stay was very painful.
I got sick in Newcastle in the middle of 2021 before a concert, and was later told I had pneumonia. I regret not seeing the rest of the concerts that December because I was told I had to return home right away to recover.
I received a recommendation from a doctor who advised me that I needed more surgery, which I completed in May 2022, making it impossible for me to see The Wild Dreams tour.
Three months after having that surgery, I made an effort to carry on for you guys and go back on tour, but it turned out to be too much due to the physical demands of the concerts and the long trips.
I had a “very large” incisional hernia, and I was told to have it fixed by a doctor. I had no other choice because this would be my fourth major operation since the beginning of everything.
I had a “very large” incisional hernia, and I was told to have it fixed by a doctor. I had no other choice because this would be my fourth major operation since the beginning of everything.
He continued, “It is with the highest level of regret that I must now temporarily stand down from all Westlife touring until a time ote: that I have had the chance to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have been through as an individual.”
Believe me, you’re right, things could change! Thank you so much for your assistance and understanding of my health over the past few years.
What the band did in response
Bandmate Shane fans would be thrilled to hear Mark on their new songs, including Chariot, which were released on Friday despite the vocal powerhouse’s absence on the road.
Shane thanked Irish media for their update on Mark in an interview with RTE News, saying: “He’s unable to join the tour unfortunately as he’s mentioned already, but being on the new song is very important.
‘He’s still a member of this band obviously and he’s sounding great on the new songs. We’ve got four new songs and an album coming out after Christmas…
Source: Mirror
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