Mark Sheehan previously took time off from touring with The Script in the US to spend more time with his family.
The guitarist’s death was revealed by the band on Friday after a “brief illness” that saw fans rush to social media to pay tribute.
In a surfaced interview with The Sunday World in May 2022, Danny O’Donoghue revealed that Mark had taken a break from performing with the band on their US tour, leaving him and Glen to perform in the US shows.
Mark married his wife Rina in 2005 and welcomed their first child, Cameron, in 2008, with two more to follow, Avery and Lil.
At the time, Danny said, “It’s his story to tell, but yes, I think if I may paraphrase, his kids need a dad and his wife needs a husband.”
Break: Mark Sheehan previously took time off from touring with The Script in the US to spend more time with his family – as his death was announced on Friday
“He’s been the engine of The Script for so long, [I told him] that ”if you want to take some time off for your family, you’re more than welcome, and I insist you do it”.
‘He’s rested for a while. You will be refreshed and then come back with a new zest for life. And I believe it was the best thing that could have happened to all of us.
“Glen and I had to deal with it in the meantime. We did the US leg without him, but once we’re all back in the room for the Irish tour, you just sit there and go “there’s the f***ing magic!”
Danny has previously said that Sheehan was “the perfect songwriting partner” and that the pair collaborated on a slew of hits.
Mark died in hospital on Friday after a brief illness that reportedly left his bandmates ‘devastated’.
Are Passing Shock was announced on the Irish band’s official Facebook pagejust two weeks after the group’s final performance was announced.
Their statement read: ‘Dearly loved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a short illness. The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.”
The Script star founded the band, which became a success in 2001 with frontman Danny O’Donoghue and drummer Glen Power, selling 20 million records.
Tragedy: The guitarist’s death was revealed by the band on Friday after a ‘brief illness’ that saw fans rush to social media to pay tribute
Heartbreak: Mark married wife Rina in 2005 and welcomed their first child, Cameron, in 2008, with two more to follow, Avery and Lil
The group formed in Dublin in 2001, with Mark on guitar, Glen Power on drums and Danny singing.
They sold more than 20 million records worldwide The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, for the first time, We Cry and Hall of Fame.
At the end of March it was reported that the group would play at The Halls in Wolverhampton in June.
Danny added in his 2022 chat that the release of the group’s single Dare You To Doubt Me 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 all come out bigger, better and stronger. Do not think so? Well, I dare you to doubt me!’
Danny and Mark penned 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 song 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 mirrorthe terms of the settlement are unknown after both parties agreed not to speak publicly about the deal.
MailOnline reached out to representatives for James and The Script for comment at the time.
While 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.