Westlife singer Mark Feehily is taking legal action against a surgeon over weight-loss surgery at a private hospital, claiming the procedure led to recurring sepsis.
The 46-year-old stopped touring with the chart-topping group two years ago during a prolonged period of ill health. Since 2020, he has undergone at least four major operations.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Feehily spent months in intensive care. He later developed pneumonia, a chest infection and a large incisional hernia.
According to court documents, Feehily says his health problems began after he underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, a form of bariatric surgery, at Spire Portsmouth Hospital in Hampshire in 2020. The Times reported the claim.
The musician alleges that bariatric surgeon Nick Carter failed to remove enough of his stomach, leaving tissue behind that later became infected.
Feehily claims the remaining tissue caused a dangerous leak, leading to recurrent sepsis and severe abdominal infections. He says the complications ultimately meant he had to have his entire stomach removed during surgery in May 2023. Carter denies negligence.
The claim was filed at the High Court in 2025 and is valued at more than £200,000. However, Feehily’s lawyers at Leigh Day Solicitors have set out a baseline threshold that allows the case to proceed at the highest court level and permits a larger compensation claim if he succeeds.
A preliminary split trial is expected to be held between May 28 and July 31. If Feehily wins, the court will not determine damages during that stage of proceedings.
Westlife star Mark Feehily, pictured in 2022, is suing a surgeon over weight-loss surgery at a private hospital that he claims caused recurring sepsis
The musician alleges that bariatric surgeon Nick Carter, pictured, failed to remove enough of his stomach, leaving tissue that later became infected
The court will consider whether Carter was negligent and whether Feehily’s serious complications were caused by the surgeon’s actions.
Witness statements are expected to be submitted on Monday, followed by expert reports from surgical and radiology specialists in November.
Suzanne White, a partner at Leigh Day, said: ‘Mark has been committed to keeping his fans informed about his health during an exceptionally difficult period, facing everything with his characteristic strength and resilience.
‘Mark is extremely grateful for the continued support he has received. To respect the ongoing court proceedings, he will not be commenting at this time.’
Court records show that Carter filed a defence earlier this year denying liability. The surgeon acknowledged that some stomach tissue remained after the operation and that a leak developed at the staple line.
However, he argued that the decision was appropriate, adding that leakage is a recognised complication occurring in about 1 per cent of cases and does not, by itself, indicate negligence.
Carter also maintains that the agreement was made through Streamline Surgical, a private weight-loss and bariatric medical group that treats patients at Spire Portsmouth Hospital. He says he did not have a personal contract with Feehily.
Carter’s legal team said: ‘As proceedings remain ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment on the matters raised.’
Feehily says his health difficulties began after he underwent the routine gastric procedure in August 2020.
He claims that, within days of the operation, he suffered severe pain and was rushed to hospital, where the complications developed into sepsis.
MUST READ: I Fear My Husband’s $100K Investment Plan With a Friend
He spent months in the intensive care unit during the Covid-19 pandemic and required emergency surgery to address it.
In late 2021, he became seriously ill before a scheduled concert and was diagnosed with pneumonia.
The star claims that his health problems stem from a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, a type of weight-loss surgery, he received in 2020 at Spire Portsmouth Hospital, pictured
This chest infection forced him to miss shows on Westlife’s Wild Dreams Tour and marked another significant setback in his recovery.
He claims that following his pneumonia, he continued to face complications from his earlier illness and surgeries.
He developed a large incisional hernia — a weakness or tear at the site of his surgical incision — which required further major surgery.
Reports state he has undergone four major surgeries related to these health battles since 2020.
Mr Feehily stepped down from touring with Westlife in February 2024 following a brief hiatus in late 2022.
Mr Feehily in December 2025 shared an update with his fans following a period of ill health after battling several illnesses over the past few years.
It read: ‘Heya! A little message from me to you from the heart. It’s been so long, sorry about the lack of posting… I’ve missed ya!
‘It’s been quite difficult to watch my band’s big World Tour launch knowing I won’t be able to be there with you all to join the party.
‘However, it’s been really amazing to see our band still flying so high, and the incredible global support that’s still there for us. YOUR support!
‘That same phenomenal support you have blessed us with from day ONE in Sligo back in the late 90s & as we slowly but surely went on to build the Westlife legacy piece by piece for over 3 decades, literally thousands of days and nights together on stage and in studios and on trains, planes and automobiles, is something that blows my mind to this day, something I am so proud to be a part of.
‘The 25th anniversary tour is gonna be a really special celebration of what we have all built and achieved together!’
Mark went on to thank his fans for all of their unwavering support before revealing he still isn’t well enough to get on stage for the world tour.
He continued: ‘All of this really drives home the honest truth that I’m simply not ready to take on a massive world tour yet.
‘My body and my mind need time. However, thankfully, sitting in a chair to do a radio show is a completely different physical and mental demand to doing a massive world tour and I feel very lucky to be able to do this new @rteradio1 show.
‘It’s not quite a stadium show but it’s a HUGE deal and achievement for me! Right now, to sit back and do absolutely nothing would make things much worse for me both medically and emotionally – so here goes!’
The star has had brief stints doing broadcast work, hosting Mark Feehily’s Musical Icons on RTÉ Radio 1.