EXCLUSIVE: Westlife’s Nicky Byrne has shared an update on bandmate Mark Feehily’s health battle, as the group continues their 25th anniversary tour without him
Meghna Amin Screen Time Reporter
18:29, 28 May 2026Updated 18:30, 28 May 2026
Nicky said ‘the door is always open’ for Mark’s return (Image: Getty)
Westlife star Nicky Byrne has given fans an update on Mark Feehily, revealing the “door is open” for his eventual comeback.
The singer is reuniting with bandmates Shane Filan and Kian Egan as the lads head back out on the road for their 25-year anniversary tour.
The trio are performing across the globe and dropping a brand new single alongside a greatest hits album, though they’ll be taking to the stage without Mark, who has been dealing with a series of health struggles.
Mark battled sepsis in 2020, before going on to face pneumonia, an incisional hernia and a number of major surgical procedures.
Speaking exclusively ahead of his appearance in Soccer Aid for Unicef this weekend, Nicky said: “I believe he’s doing okay, he’s made the statement last year that he couldn’t join us on the tour,” reports Dublin Live.
Nicky was speaking ahead of Soccer Aid for Unicef
“We knew the tour was going to be for two years, but the door is always open for him to return.”
Reflecting on the tour and selling out stadiums across the world, Nicky continued: “To be doing that at our age, sometimes you wonder, have you got something to prove but I think now we all realise, these are the times to just enjoy it.
“It doesn’t last forever, it’s a big, big tour, a long tour. 25 years of Westlife, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Nicky is now joining the likes of Olly Murs, Sam Thompson, Richard Gadd and Wayne Rooney for Soccer Aid for Unicef on Sunday.
Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan are heading on tour without Mark Feehily(Image: Getty Images)
Talking about the match, he shared: “It’s such good fun and a great cause.”
He added: “You just cannot but have a good time at this, it’s so much fun. You’re playing football for a few days and it’s all for a great cause.
“When you watch the videos and stuff, it reminds to as to why you’re here. Honestly, it’s the week of the year that everybody puts in their calendar as quick and early as they can.”
Mark’s struggles first began in August 2020 when he had surgery, and was rushed back to hospital days later after suffering from “severe pain”.
Mark previously spoke about his health struggles(Image: ITV)
Due to complications with the surgery, he was in ICU and developed sepsis, requiring emergency surgery to save his life.
He revealed that the difficult months that followed saw him in hospital during Covid, meaning he was unable to have any visitors including his family.
He shared on social media last year: “It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU.”
In late 2021, Mark became “very ill” and returned to A&E, where he was told he had pneumonia and needed to go home to recover, forcing him to miss out on Westlife’s Wild Dreams tour.
Westlife’s Kian, Nicky and Shane are celebrating 25 years together(Image: BBC)
He later developed an incisional hernia, and had to undergo his fourth major surgery since the start of his health battle.
He added 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.
“Believe me, I wish things could be different! I would like to thank you so very much for your support and understanding of me and my health over the past few years.”
Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 31st May