The Script guitarist Mark Sheehan dies at 46 following 'brief illness'

(NEXSTAR/KTLA) – Mark Sheehan, co-founding member and guitarist of Irish pop-rock band The Script, best known for his no. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Breakeven (Fall to Piece),” has died at age 46.

On Friday, the band announced on social media that Sheehan had been battling a “brief illness”.

The script confirmed the news of his death via their official social media accounts, Write: “Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away in hospital today after a brief illness. The family and group ask fans to respect his privacy during this sad time.”

The band was formed in 2001 by Sheehan and keyboardist Danny O’Donoghue, who had been best friends since the age of 12, the Guardian reports. O’Donoghue and Sheehan were previously part of the Irish pop band Maytown. The duo were later joined by drummer Glenn Power, and The Script released their self-titled debut in 2008.

The Script’s most recent album, “Sunsets & Full Moons” was released in 2019. A greatest hits album titled “Tales from the Script” was released in 2021.

According to the Sunday World, in 2022, the band went on a Greatest Hits Tour, where Sheehan was notably absent for some of the US tour dates to “spend time with family”.

“His children needed a father and his wife needed a husband,” O’Donoghue told the publication in May 2022.

Sheehan is survived by his wife, Rina Sheehan, and their three children, UK news ITV reports.

The Script during their European tour later this year with P! Ready to perform with NK.