Mark Feehily missed Westlife's opening show in Newcastle on Friday night under doctors orders, as his bandmates did the show as a trio.
After packing out Wembley Stadium in the summer, the Irish group have hit the road on their Wild Dreams tour and are at Newcastle's Utlita Arena for two nights, mich to the delight of their Geordie fans who lapped up their reunion concert back in 2019.
The quartet arrived in Newcastle after a sell out show at Manchester's AO Arena on Thursday evening but there was a blow to ticketholders as Mark didn't join Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan for Friday night's gig. Many fans were completely oblivious to his absence until the group arrived on stage later than scheduled as just a three, with Mark clearly missing in action, before it was explained, after Shane, Nicky and Kian sang opening number Starlight, that he felt ill before the concert.
READ MORE: Westlife in Newcastle: Stage times, support act and security rules
Mark, who wowed viewers as Robobunny on The Masked Singer earlier this year, took to Instagram to issue a statement to fans about what happened. Around the same time Westlife were due on stage, Mark posted an explanation by way of a note on his Insta grid. The singer wrote: "I'm so sorry to tell you I won't be able to join the boys on stage tonight in Newcastle.
"I felt really feverish last night after the Manchester gig, then the same again this morning but a whole lot worse - been with the doctor and he says there's no way in the world I should do the show tonight."
He added: "So after speaking to the lads we decided the show will go ahead, please, for me, have the time of your life. I wish my 3 brothers the best gig ever and I'll be there in spirit, before ending the post: "I'll be back in action rocking it out to Beyonce ASAP."
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