Westlife perform with cardboard cut-out of Mark Feehily as he battles illness in hospital

Irish singer Mark Feehily, who has been part of Westlife for over two decades, has been missing from recent shows on the Westlife tour as he battles pneumonia

Fans of Westlife were treated to a new version of singer Mark Feehily whilst he battles pneumonia and has been forced to miss several Westlife shows.

The remaining members of the boyband appeared on stage in Liverpool alongside a cardboard cut out of their missing bandmate. Feehily, 42, has been forced to pull out of shows since Monday.

He issued a health update to worried Westlife fans via Instagram, where he confirmed that he’s been struck down with pneumonia. He apologised to fans but said he hoped to be back on the road as soon as possible and get back to performing on the Westlife tour.

The star first began to feel unwell last week after performing in Newcastle. He explained on Instagram: “I was really gutted to miss the weekend shows in Newcastle but I started to feel quite unwell on Friday and that doctors have confirmed that it is a bout of pneumonia.

“I know it’s scary when you first hear the word ‘Pneumonia’, but thankfully, I got to the doctor and the hospital very quickly and got on the antibiotics as soon as possible – so everything is currently under control.”

Fans attending the Liverpool stadium tour date didn’t get a chance to miss the Irish singer too much, as bandmates Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne carried a lifesize cardboard cut out of Feehily onto stage.

An Instagram snap from one fan close to the stage shows the lads joking and laughing alongside their new cardboard band member. The remaining three members are continuing with the UK and Ireland tour until Feehily is well enough to return.

In his Instagram health update he said: “I have been informed that the quickest way to recovery is to rest and continue the antibiotics. I’m feeling a bit better everyday. The nurses and doctors are taking amazing care of me so it should all be over in no time.

“This does however mean missing more gigs which is horrible but I’ll be back on stage as soon as I can get the all clear.”

“Until then, Nicky, Shane, and Kian will continue to fly the Westlife flag high for all of us. Please scream even louder than usual for those three legends in my absence.

“Sending love to you all, I hope to see you back on the road very, very, soon. Mark.”