Westlife have responded to rumours of a reunion with former member Brian McFadden, though they haven’t given fans much hope.

Brian was part of the original group as they rose to fame in the 1990s, before separating to pursue a solo career in 2004.

Since then, Westlife has continued as a four-man group, with Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily.

However, Mark has been dealing with a series of health issues over the past few years and was absent from their most recent appearance.

Westlife appeared on Britain’s Got Talent on Saturday to promote their new greatest hits album, though fans were quick to notice the missing man.

In 2020, Mark developed sepsis after a routine operation and spent time in intensive care.

The following year, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and has since undergone four major surgeries.

Due to his health concerns, Mark announced that he would be taking time away from the group in 2024, revealing last year that he would miss the band’s 25th anniversary tour.

Fans remain hopeful that the singer could return to Westlife in the future, yet Brian’s comeback appears much less likely.

Speaking about the possibility to The Sunday Times, Shane Filan said: ‘We’ve been together as four now since 2004 — that’s 22 years.

‘You can never say never, but that would be way down the road if we’d ever consider that.’

He added that the group’s focus at the moment is on their tour, with Nicky Byrne also recently admitting that he expects Westlife to stay as a trio for the near future.

Speaking to RSVP Live about Mark’s health, Nicky said: ‘I don’t believe so, but we all hope so. I can only go on what Mark has always said publicly, and he’s not there yet.

‘He’s still recovering both mentally and physically and you just have to give him his time, and we are.’

However, he reassured fans that the group are very eager for the singer to return and they are ready for the day that he rejoins them.