Westlife’s Mark Feehily sues surgeon after weight-loss surgery allegedly caused sepsis
Mark Feehily of Westlife (Getty Images)
Westlife singer Mark Feehily has filed a High Court medical negligence claim against bariatric surgeon Nick Carter over a 2020 weight-loss operation he alleges led to severe abdominal infections and recurring sepsis.
According to The Sunday Times, which first reported the legal claim, Carter denies negligence.
Feehily, 46, reportedly claimed his health complications began after a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in August 2020. He alleges Carter failed to remove enough of Feehily’s stomach during the procedure, leaving tissue that caused a leak and, subsequently, severe abdominal infections and recurring sepsis.
Feehily, who is out gay, later underwent an operation to remove his entire stomach, known as a gastrectomy, in 2023.
Leigh Day partner Suzanne White said: “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.” White added: “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.”
Claim details
The surgery took place at Spire Portsmouth Hospital in Hampshire, and the claim, lodged in June 2025, is reportedly set at more than £200,000.
Carter’s legal team said: “As proceedings remain ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on the matters raised.”
However, in a defence filing from January, Carter denied liability, according to The Sunday Times.
The surgeon accepted that some stomach tissue was left behind after the surgery, and that a leak developed. But he added that leaving behind some tissue was appropriate and leakage was a recognised complication that occurs in around one per cent of cases, meaning the issue was not necessarily caused by negligence.
Carter also denied having had direct personal contact with the singer, instead claiming the surgery was organised via a private weight loss group called Streamline Surgical.
What happens next
Witness statements were due to come on Monday, while expert reports will follow in November.
Then, a five-day preliminary trial is set for May 28, with no money or damages being decided at that point.
Carter will be evaluated for negligence, and whether his actions caused Feehily’s complications or not.
Mark Feehily’s hiatus
Feehily pulled out of Westlife concerts in 2022 because of pneumonia, and in February 2024 announced he would be stepping back from the band before the group headed out on tour.
In a statement, he said: “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.”
Westlife are currently on the road to mark 25 years since their first tour, with a 13-night record-breaking residency scheduled for 3Arena in Dublin.
