Ban Sargeant, bassist for The Script, has paid an emotional tribute to guitarist Mark Sheehan after he passed away at the age of 46.
Guitarist Mark died in hospital after a ‘brief illness’, with his death revealed by the band on Friday.
Bassist Ben took to social media on Sunday night where he penned a heartbreaking eulogy, admitting he was “struggling to find words!”
The heartbroken musician praised his late friend for being “deeply loyal” and an “extremely gifted artist.”
Ben shared an image of his tribute to both Twitter and Instagram, writing, “Rest In Peace Mark Sheehan.”
Tribute: The Script’s bassist Ban Sargeant has paid an emotional tribute to guitarist Mark Sheehan, after he died aged 46
Ben wrote, “This is so hard to write. Difficulty finding words that are good enough. What can I say about a man who had a life changing impact on me and everyone around him.
‘A very loyal and devoted family man, husband, father, brother, friend. A man who showed me that perseverance, faith, dedication and hard effort pays off in the music industry!
“A man who always shed a new light on a situation and inspired you to find a new approach.
“A guy who could put lyrics together in such a way that you felt like he was talking directly to you.
“An extraordinarily gifted artist who could disarm even the high-pressure performance by dropping by in the middle of a song and giving a knowing look or a cheeky smile.
Or just get the p**s out of you! A man who worked tirelessly and was more driven than anyone I’ve known.
“A man who played as hard as he worked and who loved to sit up, shoot the breeze and make you roar with laughter no matter how tired or jet lagged we were.
‘Yes… what can I say…? I can say: I am honored to have known you and shared these times with you, thank you for everything you have done for me.
“I will miss you terribly and I will never forget you. Love you. See you in the great bar in the sky, brother.”
Sad news: The Script’s guitarist Mark Sheehan has passed away after a ‘brief illness’, with the band announcing the sad news Friday (pictured in 2020)
RIP: His shocking passing was announced on the Irish band’s official Facebook page on Friday, two weeks after the group’s final 2019 performance was announced (LR) by (LR) Mark Sheehan, Danny O’Donoghue and Glen Joseph
The shocking passing of Script guitarist Mark Sheehan was announced on Friday on The Script’s official Facebook page, two weeks after the group’s last gig was announced.
It comes after The Script’s drummer Glen Power, 44, told Sunday world: ‘It is such a devastating loss for us, his family and all close ones.’
“We had a bond that is very rare. We spent more time together than any couple. We are in shock, there are no words for it.’
The Irish band’s statement read: ‘Dearly beloved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away in hospital today after a short illness’.
It continued, “The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.”
The father of three children lived in America with wife Rina with the Sunday world report that his “totally devastated” bandmates are busy making escape plans for family and friends.
Mark took time away from the band, missing nearly a year of gigs in 2021 to spend more time with his family.
“His kids needed a father and his wife needed a man,” lead singer Danny O’Donoghue, 42, told the publication.
Heartbreak: The father-of-three lived in America with wife Rina (pictured) and his ‘totally devastated’ bandmates were reported to be making flight plans for family and friends
RIP: Their statement read: ‘Beloved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a short illness’
Family man: Mark (left) took time away from the band, missing nearly a year of 2021 gigs to spend more time with his family
He then said it was “the best thing that could have happened” and the musician returned to the trio “refreshed”.
He also told the paper that his friend was “the perfect songwriting partner” and that the pair had collaborated on a slew of hits.
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 ‘.
Friends: Danny (left) said his friend was “the perfect songwriting partner” and the pair collaborated on a slew of hits.
Band: The group formed in Dublin in 2001, with Mark on guitar, Glen Power on drums and Danny singing
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 has 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.