The Script singer-songwriter Mark Sheehan found global fame with Irish rock band The Script but was notoriously private when it came to his personal life.
The star, who was a guitarist, singer-songwriter and producer, tragically passed away at the age of 46 on Friday after battling a short illness, reports the Daily Mirror.
In a statement, the band said: “Much loved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness. The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.”
Mark is known for being a founding member of The Script, forming the band in 2001 and going on to sell 20 million records with hits such as We Cry, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved and Hall of Fame.
Mark didn’t have public social media profiles and avoided speaking about his family to the media. Mark had a wife called Rina, who comes from Texas, who he married in 2005.
They met when The Script were recording in the US and Rina was there as a backing singer. Speaking to the Mirror in a rare interview back in 2008, Mark revealed: “Rina is from Texas - we met on the road.
“I was producing and working in different studios and she was a studio session singer and backing singer.”
Mark continued: “We just kind of clicked in the usual way you do. We got married three years ago and now we have baby number one on the way.”
They went on to have a son, Cameron, who was born in August 2008, and is now 14 years old. Mark told the Mirror in the same interview that becoming a dad was more nerve-wracking than playing to thousands of fans.
He shared: “My wife has gone in to be induced and I am crapping myself to be honest with you. I’m trying to get into the nappies myself – they just don’t fit me. I am nervous of course – it is such a big deal.
“But I’m kind of in two whirlwinds at the moment where I am doing interviews and concerts while my wife is being induced. So you can imagine where my head is at.”
They also had two more children, daughters Avery and Lil, but there ages remain unknown. Following Mark’s passing, stars of the music world and even the Irish President Michael D Higgins paid tribute to him.
Details of Mark's illness have yet to be revealed but last year he missed much of the Irish band’s world tour.
His bandmate Danny said Mark’s absence was down to ‘family commitments’, adding to Sunday World: “It’s his story to tell, but his children needed a father and his wife needed a husband.
“He’s been the engine of The Script for such a long time. I told him ‘If you want to take a bit of time out for your family you are more than welcome to.
“He took a little bit of time off. You get refreshed, then you come back with a new zest for life. I believe it was the best thing that could have happened for all of us.”
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