Westlife have delighted fans with an update on band member Mark Feehily while revealing they are releasing four new songs and updates on their world tour.
Shane Filan, Nicky Bryne and Kian Egan are set to perform at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday and Tuesday night, however it was confirmed earlier this year that Mark would not be joining his bandmates due to ongoing health woes.
The band, whose upcoming London gigs are to mark their 25th anniversary, announced they are set for a world tour and are also set to release a greatest hits album featuring four new songs – all of which will feature Mark.
Despite the vocal powerhouse’s absence, Shane detailed the ‘importance’ of his appearance on the music and lauded his ‘great’ vocals on the track – one of which, Chariots, is set to be unveiled on Friday.
In an interview with Irish outlet RTE News, Shane delighted fans by giving an update on Mark, saying: ‘He’s unable to join the tour unfortunately as he’s mentioned already but being on the new song is very important…
Westlife have delighted fans with an update on band member Mark Feehily while revealing they are releasing four new songs and new dates on their world tour (pictured Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan Westlife in 2022)
Shane Filan, Nicky Bryne and Kian Egan are set to perform at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday and Tuesday night, however it was confirmed earlier this year that Mark would not be joining his bandmates due to ongoing health woes
Despite the vocal powerhouse’s absence, Shane detailed the ‘importance’ of his appearace on the music and lauded his ‘great’ vocals on the track – one of which, Chariots, is set to be unveiled on Friday
‘He’s still a member of this band obviously and he’s soundiing great on the new songs. We’ve got four new songs and an album coming out after Christmas…
‘A greatest hits compilation with four new songs but the new song that’s out next friday is a really upbeat tune and it’s great to have him on there.’
One delighted fan shared the video of the RTE interview, writing: ‘Shane reiterates that Mark is still a Westlife member and is sounding great on the new songs…
‘He also confirms that there are four new songs (the first of which is dropping on Friday) on the new album which is a greatest hits compilation album. It will be out after Christmas’.
Following on from the sell-out duo of London gigs, the world tour announcement has sent fans wild with a new teaser hitting Instagram on Thursday.
The teaser featured an airport departures board, typically used to show departures times, locations and boarding gates. The airport is a nod to the video for their 2000 single My Love, in which the group are stranded in an airport.
There is also a nod to their second studio album Coast To Coast, as the bottom of the shutterboard reads ‘Coast To Coast Airlines’. In the teaser the tour dates flicker.
In a statement, Westlife said: ‘This year marks 25 years since we started this incredible journey together and it still feels like only the beginning…
In an interview with Irish outlet RTE News, Shane delighted fans by giving an update on Mark, saying: ‘He’s unable to join the tour unfortunately as he’s mentioned already but being on the new song is very important’
The band uncovered the stunning cover art for their greatest hits record, with a collage of images showing various moments in their career, including a still of the group spreading their arms while dressed in all white on the set of the video for 1999’s Flying Without Wings
The announcement of the tour saw a departure board
‘The support from our fans has been unbelievable, and to celebrate with this world tour, new music, and a brand-new album feels truly special. We can’t wait to see you all on the road and share this next chapter together.’
Fans soon flooded Twitter with excited response to the announcement, writing: ‘Today’s Gen Z don’t know what we enjoyed with Westlife. Amazing love songs man…
‘I cannot believe I actually f**king did. A miracle happened. I got the Westlife tickets… Can we all put into the universe that the Westlife ticket fairy visits my office today?…
‘7/10 Westlife 3arena gigs secured wow ive never done this before go to every single night just 3 more to bag then it’s 10/10 nights…
One delighted fan shared the video of the RTE interview, writing: ‘Shane reiterates that Mark is still a Westlife member and is sounding great on the new songs’
‘New music, world tour, and that classic Westlife charm we all love it’s such an exciting time, can’t wait to see everything that’s coming!’
The band uncovered the stunning cover art for their greatest hits record, named Westlife The Ultimate Collection.
The cover features a collage of images showing moments in their career, including a still of the group, in their original formation with Brian McFadden, spreading their arms while dressed in all white in the video for 1999’s Flying Without Wings
Westlife soared to fame in 1998 when they were formed in Dublin, with the original line-up also featuring Brian, who later left in 2004.
The group broke hearts of fans around the globe when they announced plans to disband in 2012 before all embarking on respective solo careers over the years.
Kian, Shane and Nicky are seen at the Pride Of Britain Awards earlier this week
The band are seen in their original formation in 2000 prior to Brian McFadden
A hugely successful return in 2018 saw the group reform with comeback single Hello My Love, and the announcement of The Twenty Tour for 2019.
In June, Mark’s absence from the coming shows was announced. In a lengthy post, Westlife penned: ‘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 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.
‘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.
‘The four of us can’t quite believe its 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! Love, Kian, Mark, Nicky & Shane x.’
Last year, Mark announced his temporary departure from the Irish boyband, just days before they were set to embark on their first ever tour of America.
Prolonged ill-health resulted in the singer withdrawing from the band in a bid to recover after being diagnosed with sepsis.
Nicky Bryne, Shane Filan, and Kian Egan will perform two unforgettable nights in October 27 and 28 – with tickets due to go on sale June 20 at 10am
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.
‘It actually all started 3.5 years ago in August 2020 when I had surgery. Within a few days of this surgery I was in severe pain and was rushed into A&E.
‘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.’
He added: ‘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 fiance 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.
‘In late 2021, I became very ill in Newcastle before a concert and ended up back in A&E, this time being told I had pneumonia. I was told I had to go straight home to recover and regrettably miss the rest of the concerts that December.
‘I was referred to a consultant who told me I needed more surgery which I went ahead with in May 2022 meaning I was forced to miss more of The Wild Dreams tour.
Mark announced his temporary departure from the Irish boyband, just days before they were set to embark on their first ever tour of America last year
His prolonged ill-health resulted in Mark withdrawing from the band in a bid to recover after being diagnosed with sepsis
‘Three months after that surgery, I tried my best to soldier on for you guys and to go back on tour but unfortunately the physical demands of the concerts and extensive travel were proving too much for me.
‘I developed a very large ‘incisional hernia’ and I was told that I needed further surgery to fix it. This would be my fourth major surgery since the start of it all, but I had no option.’
‘I developed a very large ‘incisional hernia’ and I was told that I needed further surgery to fix it. This would be my fourth major surgery since the start of it all, but I had no option.’
Confirming his temporary hiatus from the band, he added: ‘It is with the upmost 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, 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.’
The band are pictured in 2023
