Westlife star Mark Feehily is suing a surgeon over weight-loss surgery he claims caused recurring sepsis and the removal of his stomach, with a £200,000 court claim filed in 2025.
Westlife singer Mark Feehily has filed a medical negligence lawsuit against bariatric surgeon Nick Carter, alleging that a 2020 weight-loss operation at Spire Portsmouth Hospital led to life-threatening complications. The 46-year-old musician claims the procedure left a portion of his stomach tissue, causing leaks, sepsis, and multiple surgeries, including a 2023 gastrectomy to remove his entire stomach. The case, valued at over £200,000, is set for a preliminary trial, with Carter denying negligence but admitting to a recognized complication
in about 1% of cases.
A Surgical Complication That Upended a Career
Feehily’s legal team, Leigh Day Solicitors, alleges that Carter failed to remove enough stomach tissue during a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in August 2020, leading to a dangerous leak. The musician spent months in the ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic after developing sepsis, requiring emergency surgery. By 2023, he underwent a gastrectomy, a procedure that removed his entire stomach, as per court documents cited by the Daily Mail. His health struggles forced him to step down from touring with Westlife in February 2024, though he remains a band member.
Carter, who operates through the private medical group Streamline Surgical, has denied liability but acknowledged that tissue remained after the 2020 procedure. In court filings, he argued that the leakage is a recognized complication
occurring in approximately 1% of cases. The surgeon’s legal team added that he did not have a direct contract with Feehily, as the surgery was arranged through a third-party provider.
A Legal Battle Over Medical Standards
The case hinges on whether Carter’s actions met the standard of care for bariatric surgery. Feehily’s legal team argues that the surgeon’s failure to fully remove stomach tissue directly caused his complications, while Carter’s defense emphasizes that leaks are a known risk. A preliminary split trial is scheduled for between May 28 and July 31, though no damages will be determined during this phase.
Leigh Day partner Suzanne White stated that Feehily has faced it all with his characteristic strength and resilience,
while emphasizing his commitment to keeping fans informed. The musician, who has undergone at least four major surgeries since 2020, has not commented publicly on the case, citing the ongoing court process. Evoke highlighted that Feehily’s absence from Westlife’s 25th-anniversary tour has drawn attention, though bandmates Kian Egan, Shane Filan, and Nicky Byrne have expressed support for his recovery.
The Human Cost of a Medical Dispute
Feehily’s ordeal has included a 2023 surgery to address an incisional hernia, as well as prolonged hospital stays and isolation during the pandemic. In a 2024 update, he described being “rushed to A&E” after the 2020 procedure, with sepsis requiring immediate emergency surgery. The Daily Mail noted that he spent months in the ICU, unable to see family due to pandemic restrictions. His legal team has also outlined a baseline threshold
for the claim, allowing for higher compensation if the court rules in his favor.
While the surgeon acknowledges the complication rate, Feehily’s legal team argues that the specific outcome was avoidable.
The outcome of the case remains uncertain, but for Feehily, the battle extends beyond legal compensation.