The Script’s guitarist Mark Sheehan has died, aged 46, following a short illness, the band announced over the weekend.
In a statement on social media, the Irish band said: “Much loved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness. The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time”.
Joining tributes, Irish president Michael D Higgins said: “It was a mark of the originality and excellence that Mark and his bandmates in The Script sought that they saw such success across the world, including six number one albums in the UK and a number three album in the United States - a truly remarkable achievement”.
“Through their music, Mark and The Script have played an outstanding part in continuing and promoting this proud tradition of Irish musical success across the world”, he added.
Sheehan formed boyband Mytown with vocalist Danny O'Donoghue in 1996, working in LA for a number of years. When the project came to an end, Sheehan and O'Donoghue returned to Ireland and formed The Script with drummer Glen Power.
The band released their eponymous debut album in 2008, topping the charts in Ireland and the UK. They have released six albums - most recently ‘Sunsets & Full Moons’ in 2019.