Westlife icon Mark Feehily is taking legal action after a weight loss operation nearly had catastrophic consequences.
The Irish vocalist, 46, announced a hiatus from the group in 2024, which stemmed from his health issues.
Details have now been revealed of Feehily’s claims that his problems began in August 2020 after he underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, a type of weight-loss surgery, at Spire Portsmouth Hospital in Hampshire.
The Flying Without Wings singer has launched a medical negligence lawsuit against the surgeon who performed the op, which he claimed caused him to develop recurring sepsis.
According to The Times, Feehily claims in court documents that bariatric surgeon Nick Carter failed to remove enough of his stomach during the procedure.
Consequently, tissue left behind allegedly caused a dangerous leak, leading to severe abdominal infections, recurrent sepsis, and a hospital admission, the documents claim.
In 2023, the star had to undergo another operation, known as a gastrectomy, to have his entire stomach removed.
Feehily’s legal team at Leigh Day Solicitors filed the medical negligence claim against Carter at the High Court, with partner Suzanne White saying: ‘We are representing Westlife lead singer Mark Feehily in a medical negligence claim at the High Court against laparoscopic, upper gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon Mr Nick Carter.
‘Mark has been dedicated to keeping his fans updated on his health during a period that has been extremely challenging for him, but he has faced it all with his characteristic strength and resilience.’
White added that her client ‘very much appreciates the continued support’.
‘In order to respect the ongoing court process, he will not be commenting at this time.’
The claim is valued at more than £200,000, but a larger sum could be demanded if successful.
Carter denies negligence, with court records showing he filed a defence in January, denying liability. He does accept that some tissue remained after Feehily’s stomach operation and that there was a leak at the staple line.
However, the surgeon claimed ‘leakage was a recognised complication’ in approximately 1% of cases.
Carter’s legal team at Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland declined to comment on the matters due to the ongoing court battle, but he has denied having direct contact with Feehily, as his procedure was arranged through a private weight loss medical group.
Feehily kept the specifics about his illness under wraps for a long time, pulling out of concerts because of pneumonia in 2022 before releasing a further statement in February 2024.
While he didn’t reveal that he had a gastric sleeve op, he explained that he would be stepping back from Westlife temporarily as he recovered from life-threatening sepsis in the aftermath of another surgery.
He admitted he was departing Westlife’s US tour with ‘the utmost level of regret’ but insisted his recovery was the ‘absolute priority’.
Feehily informed fans that, three-and-a-half years prior, he was rushed to A&E in extreme pain and admitted to intensive care.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, he was not permitted to have visitors; he remained hospitalised until December that year following emergency surgery to save his life ahead of his stomach removal in May 2023.
Feehily had a fourth operation in Dublin in late 2023 to repair a large incisional hernia, ultimately leading to him taking time away from the spotlight.
His bandmates, Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne, released their own joint statement to wish him well.
Westlife was formed in 1998 and originally also included Brian McFadden. McFadden left in 2004 and did not return for the 2018 reunion.
The trio are now touring to celebrate their 25th anniversary, with the shows including a 13-night record-breaking residency at 3Arena in Dublin, with shows in Glasgow, Manchester, London, and Cardiff to follow.
As for Feehily, he’s taking things at a lighter pace, hosting Mark Feehily’s Musical Icons on RTÉ Radio 1 while continuing his recovery, having not wanted to sit around and do nothing.
Filan, Egan, and Byrne have left the door open for his return when he’s ready.
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