Westlife star sues surgeon over gastric operation that ‘nearly killed him’
Mark Feehily, the Westlife lead singer, has launched a lawsuit against a surgeon for a gastric sleeve operation that allegedly caused him to develop recurring sepsis.
The 46-year-old, who cited health issues when he stopped touring with the Irish pop group in 2024, has alleged that the operation at a private hospital caused a leak that led to sepsis and the removal of his stomach.
Court records, obtained by the Times, reveal that Feehily had a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at Spire Portsmouth Hospital in Hampshire on August 1, 2020.
However, Feehily has alleged that Nick Carter, a bariatric surgeon, left behind a section of tissue in his stomach that became infected because he failed to remove enough of the organ.
The records state that Feehily believes this caused a leak that led to severe abdominal infections, recurrent sepsis, repeated hospital admissions and eventually forced doctors to remove his stomach in May 2023.
Carter denies the claim of medical negligence.
Feehily’s claim, issued to the High Court in June last year, is valued at more than £200,000 ($468,000).
“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,” Suzanne White, a Leigh Day partner, said.
“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.
“Mark very much appreciates the continued support. In order to respect the ongoing court process, he will not be commenting at this time.”
Although Westlife confirmed that Feehily was still “very much part of the band” despite his absence from last year’s 25th anniversary tour, he last performed with them in November 2023.
The Sligo-born singer released a statement on his medical issues in February 2024 that confirmed he was rushed to hospital in severe pain and admitted to intensive care with life-threatening sepsis just days after the initial surgery in August 2020.
The statement did not reveal that the surgery was for a gastric sleeve but did detail the separation he experienced from his family as he was kept in hospital until December 2020 during Covid lockdown conditions.
He also said that, following his total stomach removal in May 2023, he had a fourth major operation that year to repair a large incisional hernia.
It was that operation that prompted Feehily to step back from touring. He pulled out of concerts with Westlife in 2022 because of pneumonia and eventually announced he would be stepping back from the band in February 2024 before the group’s tour.
The band was formed in 1998 and was made up of bandmates Feehily, Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne and Brian McFadden. Westlife disbanded in 2012 after 14 years, but reunited in 2018 without McFadden, who had left in 2004.
The Telegraph has contacted Carter for comment.
Carter’s legal team, Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, said: “As proceedings remain ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on the matters raised”.
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