Mark Feehily will miss five of Westlife’s upcoming tour dates due to surgery.
The group has a run of shows booked throughout the summer, five of which take place between May and July, with stops in Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, Cardiff and Henley.
While Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne will go ahead with the gigs, Mark will be absent from the shows as he recuperates following medical treatment this week.
“There is nothing to worry about I promise,” he said in a statement, “but under doctor’s orders this surgery needs to happen sooner rather than later and will also require some recovery time throughout the summer.”
To those attending the shows, he added: “I want you to know that I was very excited to see you all and perform but this is something that can’t be avoided and I know that you will all still have the time of your lives at what will be some amazing shows!
“I’ll be there with you all in spirit and very much look forward to getting back on stage with the lads very soon!”
Following the summer shows, Mark is set to rejoin the boys for the final dates of the ‘Wild Dreams’ trek – in support of their 2021 album of the same name – with a run of South African shows in November.