Mark Feehily, the 46-year-old Westlife singer, is taking legal action against bariatric surgeon Nick Carter, alleging medical negligence in connection with a weight-loss procedure carried out in 2020.
The Irish singer’s solicitors at Leigh Day have lodged the claim at the High Court, according to reports first published by The Times.
Mr Feehily alleges that Mr Carter, who performed the operation, did not remove a sufficient portion of his stomach during the procedure, a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
The residual tissue is said to have triggered a cascade of serious health complications that plagued the singer for years afterwards.
Mark Feehily is suing his weight-loss surgeon
|
PA
Mr Carter has denied the negligence allegations.
Mr Feehily has been open with the public about his prolonged health struggles, which forced him to take a break from the boyband in 2024.
The health ordeal began in August 2020 when Mr Feehily underwent the sleeve gastrectomy, a surgical procedure designed to aid weight loss.
It is alleged that tissue which should have been excised during the operation was left in place, subsequently causing a leak.
Mark Feehily has faced a number of health battles in recent years
|
PA
That leak is claimed to have resulted in serious infections within the abdomen, repeated bouts of sepsis, and multiple hospital admissions over the following years.
The complications ultimately proved so severe that Mr Feehily was forced to undergo a complete removal of his stomach, otherwise known as a gastrectomy, in 2023.
What was intended as a routine bariatric procedure resulting in the total loss of his stomach is the basis of the negligence claim now before the High Court.
Suzanne White, a partner at Leigh Day Solicitors, confirmed the firm’s involvement in the case.
Mark Feehily has been part of Westlife for almost three decades
|
PA
“We are representing Westlife lead singer Mark Feehily in a medical negligence claim at the High Court against laparoscopic, upper gastro-intestinal and bariatric surgeon Mr Nick Carter,” she said.
White praised the singer’s character throughout his health difficulties, stating: “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.”
She added that Mr Feehily was grateful for the ongoing support he has received but would not be making any public statements while the court process is underway.
Mr Feehily’s health troubles first disrupted his performing career in 2022, when he was forced to withdraw from Westlife concerts due to pneumonia.
Westlife continue to tour
|
GETTYBy February 2024, he announced he would be stepping away from the group entirely ahead of their upcoming tour dates.
His three remaining bandmates, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne, have pressed on without him and are currently midway through an anniversary world tour celebrating 25 years since Westlife first took to the road together.
The tour has included a record-breaking 13-night residency at Dublin’s 3Arena, which concludes this evening.
Further dates are scheduled in Glasgow, Manchester, London and Cardiff.
Westlife, originally formed in Sligo in 1998, have shifted more than 55 million records worldwide and scored 14 UK number one singles across their career.
Comments are closed.