Mark Feehily was compelled to step back from performing with Westlife in 2024 due to persistent health problems and speaking this week Nicky Bryne gave an update on his bandmate’s return to the band
Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Kian Egan from Westlife seen arriving at Magic Radio to promote their new Greatest Hits album on January 09, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)
Westlife star Nicky Byrne has shared an update with fans on Mark Feehily returning to the band ahead of their world tour.
Nicky, Kian Egan and Shane Filan are set to embark on a 25th anniversary world tour from September, which will include a 13-show residency in the 3Arena in Dublin.
However, fans hoping that Mark might join the lads after all are set to be disappointed with Nicky admitting his bandmate is still recovering ‘both physically and mentally.’
“I don’t believe so, but we all hope so. And you know, Mark… it’s always tricky… because you don’t want to ever quote something that’s, you know, would you say that you’re speaking wrongly or out of school”, he told RSVP Live.
“So I can only go on what Mark has always said publicly. And you know, he’s not there yet. He’s still recovering, both mentally and physically, and you just have to give him his time.”
Mark was compelled to step back from performing with Westlife in 2024 due to persistent health problems. After being diagnosed with sepsis post-surgery in 2020, Mark also battled pneumonia the following year and has undergone several major operations.
And speaking about feeling Mark’s loss on stage, Nicky admitted they all missed him in the band, adding: “And we are, you know, we can’t wait for Mark to be back. We miss him dearly, and we really hope he comes back soon.”
“So, you know, he’s obviously said he’s not going to do this tour. So if you read between what he said…but if something changes…100% I mean that would be, like a reunion in itself. It would be amazing.”
However, Nicky revealed that one things fans won’t be seeing is a return to Dancing With The Stars anytime soon, after his stint back in the ballroom on Sunday night as he joined the judging panel for the 100th episode of the show.
Nicky previously presented the show from 2017 to 2022, but he revealed he is simply too busy to give any thought to a return as a permanent judge even if the offer was on the table – but it’s something he’d love to try his hand at again maybe down the road.
“It definitely wasn’t a test run or an audition and I’m about to embark on a massive tour with Westlife that kicks off in September,” Nicky explained. “I already know that’s running for over a year and we haven’t even looked at beyond that.
“In terms of judging, I’d like to think it won’t be the last time I’ll ever do something like that, I’d be devastated if it was because I genuinely loved it. But certainly not [soon], next season of Dancing With The Stars we’re busy with Westlife right the way through. Have I dropped a little match that I hope might spark someday on some show? Maybe. Who knows, down the road.”
However, it was great fun for him to be back in the studio and back with the cast and crew for a special reunion.
“I was buzzing, to be honest,” he said. “Someone told me that it was my 60th show; I didn’t know that to be honest, but it was great fun coming back to the cast and the crew and the people who do all the hard work. It’s a bit of a buzz when you walk back out onto that floor, you can’t be anything but impressed by the lighting and everything about it. I was just really looking forward to it, it’s a lot of fun. I didn’t know how I’d be as a judge, I still don’t know how it went!
“But I’ve now danced, presented and been a judge, so I’ll be sweeping the floors next – which I’ve done by the way, when people weren’t looking! I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was a great show and it felt lively and energetic. You can feel the energy in the room and you just know that it’s feeding back to people in their sitting rooms.”
Next week is Orchestra Week on Dancing with the Stars, airing on 1 March from 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
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