The Script guitarist Mark Sheehan has died in hospital aged 46 following a brief illness, leaving his bandmates ‘utterly devastated’.
His shock passing was announced on the Irish band’s official Facebook page on Friday, two weeks after the group’s latest gig was announced.
Their statement said: ‘Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness’.
It continued: ‘The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.’
The announcement prompted more than 2,000 comments and well-wishes from fans within minutes of it being posted.
Sad news: The Script’s guitarist Mark Sheehan has sadly passed away it’s been annouced (pictured in 2020)
RIP: His shock passing was announced on Friday on the Irish band’s official Facebook page, two weeks after the group’s latest gig was announced (L-R) Mark Sheehan, Danny O’Donoghue and Glen Joseph in 2019
Heartbreak: The father-of-three lived in America with wife Rina with it being reported his ‘utterly devastated’ bandmates are busy making flight plans for family and friends (pictured in 2018)
The father-of-three lived in America with wife Rina with the Sunday World reporting his ‘utterly devastated’ bandmates are busy making flight plans for family and friends.
Rushing to the comments section former Love Island host Laura Whitmore wrote: ‘Thinking of you all at this time. Mark was one of the nicest and most talented men you could meet x’.
While musician LYRA said: ‘So sorry to hear this, sending so much love’.
DOI’s Matt Evers added: ‘Sending love to you boys’.
And John Barrowman wrote: ‘Oh no, so very sad. ❤️ to you and his family. Jb’.
Meanwhile devastated fans also paid their respect to the talented and much respected musician.
One said: ‘Awful news. So incredibly sad! RIP’ and another agreed stating: ‘This is so heartbreaking. I am so sorry guys. He was the loveliest human. Sending so much love to you all’.
A third penned: ‘OMG OMG I cannot believe this. Devastated for you guys’.
RIP: Their statement said: ‘Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness’
Rushing to the comments section former Love Island host Laura Whitmore wrote: ‘Thinking of you all at this time. Mark was one of the nicest and most talented men you could meet x’.
With fellow musician JP Cooper adding: ‘This is devastating! Such a beautiful, nurturing warm-hearted guy! I’m so sorry!’.
Another fan commented: ‘I’m speechless right now. My thoughts are with you guys and his family and may he rest in peace’.
While more wrote: ‘I am absolutely heartbroken to hear this news. This is the last thing I expected thoughts go out to Mark’s family, his friends, Danny & Glen & The Script family during this sad & emotional time. RIP Mark, thank you for fantastic memories. Xx ‘.
And: ‘Don’t know what to say other than this is breaking my heart in 100000 pieces. Many many many hugs and loves to families and friends. Shaking while typing this. Rest in peace legend’.
Family man: Mark (left) took time away from the band and missed nearly a year of gigs in 2021 in order to spend more time with his family
Shock: The announcement prompted more than 2,000 comments and well-wishes from fans within minutes of it being posted
Mark took time away from the band and missed nearly a year of gigs in 2021 in order to spend more time with his family.
‘His children needed a father and his wife needed a husband,’ lead singer Danny O’Donoghue, 42, told the publication.
Going on to say that it was the ‘best thing that could have happened’ and the musician returned to the trio ‘refreshed’.
He also told the newspaper that his pal was ‘the perfect songwriting partner’ with the pair having collaborated on a whole string of hits.
The group were formed in Dublin in 2001, with Mark on guitar, Glen Power on drums and Danny singing.
They went on to sell 20M records worldwide include The Man Who Can’t be Moved, For The First Time, We Cry and Hall of Fame.
It was reported at the end of March the group were set to play The Halls in Wolverhampton in June.
Danny added in his 2022 chat about the release of the group’s single Dare You To Doubt Me it was about spreading positivity in a dark world.
He added: “With everything going on in the world we want to spread a positive message that no matter how hard things are, we’ll all come out the other end bigger, better and stronger. Don’t think so? Well, I dare you to doubt me!”
Pals: Danny (left) said his pal was ‘the perfect songwriting partner’ with the pair having collaborated on a whole string of hits.
Band: The group were formed in Dublin in 2001, with Mark on guitar, Glen Power on drums and Danny singing
Danny and Mark wrote the tune around the opening days of the group’s arena tour last summer with co-writers and collaborators Jimbo Barry and David Lucius King, as well as Toby Gad, the songwriter behind John Legend’s All Of Me, Beyoncé’s ‘If I Were a Boy’.
In 2021 James Arthur settled a copyright lawsuit with the band over his hit track Say You Won’t Let Go.
The former X factor star faced a legal dispute from the Irish band after they claimed the song was ‘too similar’ to their 2008 chart-topper The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.
According to The Mirror, the terms of the settlement are unknown after both sides agreed not to speak publicly about the deal.
MailOnline has contacted James’ and The Script’s representatives for comment at the time.
Although the exact terms of the settlement are unknown, The Script’s frontman Danny and the band’s guitarist Mark were added as songwriters on James’ most popular song.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk