Love and Hypochondria (January 2006)

 

Mark Feehily, singer

 

MARK FEEHILY 25, who makes up one quarter of Westlife, shocked fans earlier this year by admitting that he is gay. But rather than harm the bands reputation, the revelation seems to have enhanced it. He has been going out with his boyfriend Kevin for 12 months and lives in Ireland and London.

DO YOU HAVE A HIGH OR LOW TOLERANCE TO PAIN?
I'M NOT a massive fan of physical pain. I don't mind a good strong massage because it feels like there's going to be an effect. Being in Westlife means I have learnt to be quite good with mental pain. For instance, I don't like people turning up on my parent's doorstep, my little brother being in the house by himself and people looking in the windows. It can be stressful to be a thousand miles away knowing this.

WHAT DO YOU FEAR?
I HAVE a phobia about birds. I grew up on a farm because my grandmother used to take care of me while my mother was at work. She had chickens and one massive cockerel. They chased me one day and flew up into my face. And when I was about ten and I watched the Alfred Hitchcock's thriller The birds on my own. I was frozen with fear.

FOOD VICE?
I'M NOT the best in terms of eating healthy. Growing up, I always had a chocolate bar in my hand. I love restaurants and good menus.

YOGA OR WORKOUT?
IF I start feeling bored I tend to stuff myself with fast food. Then guilt kicks into me a few weeks of healthy eating and going to the gym. I would like to give yoga a go. It's much more attractive to me than pumping weights in a smelly gym along with people with fantastic physiques. You think I'm never going to be like that so I might as well give up.

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
KNOWING that the people I love are happy. And laughter is a real healer. Watching Little Britain or Catherine Tate is more effective than going to the gym for making me feel good. I love going out with my friends, good music and a drink in my hand. The feeling that I don't have to worry about money makes me happy, and so does singing.

DON'T YOU SOMETIMES BELIEVE IN AN INSTANT CONNECTION LIKE A SOUL MATE THING?
WELL, I've got quite a few letters from fans who think they're my soul mates. It's very interesting that people who haven't met me might feel like that. It makes you think about what love actually is.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?
I DON’T believe in falling in love the minute you see someone. Love grows over time, but I certainly believe in lust at first sight. True proper full on love is something that has to grow.

ARE YOU THE ONE IN THE RELATIONSHIP WHO LIKES TO LOVE OR BE LOVED MORE?
I LOVE nothing more than showering somebody with gifts or compliments. I really value it though when somebody makes a gesture back to me. If somebody sends me a text to say "Hope you're having a good day" that would make my day.

DO YOU THINK YOU'VE HAD THE SAME RELATIONSHIP OVER AND OVER AGAIN?
MOST people my age have had a few relationships but this is my first. I'm a beginner in this whole relationship thing, and I’m trying not to have an ideal. I've got a good thing and want to hold onto it.

DO YOU THINK MONOGAMY FOR EVER IS POSSIBLE?
ABSOLUTELY.

 

ARE YOU IN LOVE AT THE MOMENT?
YES, with Kevin. I don't see the point in being in a full-on 12-month relationship unless there's love there. I came out because this is my first big relationship, so why shouldn't I be able to celebrate it?

DO YOU FIND IT EASY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF?
I DO find it easy especially now. I just feel so much more free. Before I came out, there was a big part of me that I wasn't in a position to express.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF?
I'D LIKE to be much more healthy. I'm now 25 and I don't want to put it off so that I'll pay for it when I'm 35 or 45.

WOULD YOU RATHER DIE QUICKLY OR HAVE TIME TO PREPARE?
I DON’T like the thought of preparing for death, but I would certainly like to say goodbye to certain people.

WOULD YOU RATHER BE EMOTIONALLY HURT OR DISCONTENT?
EMOTIONALLY hurt by a long way. You can take a hit and get back up again but if you're constantly zoned out and lifeless, you are going to be much worse off. I can only try day by day to be happy.

 

Credit/Source: Daily Mail