Heartbreak of The Script guitarist Mark Sheehan's wife of 17 years: Star leaves behind former backing singer partner and his three children after tragic death at age of 46 following a brief illness

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The wife of The Script guitarist Mark Sheehan is heartbroken  after he died aged 46, leaving her behind after 17 years of marriage along with their three children.  

Sheehan died in hospital on Friday following a brief illness, reportedly leaving his bandmates 'utterly devastated'. 

His shock passing was announced on the Irish band's official Facebook page, just two weeks after the group's latest gig was announced.

Their statement said: 'Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate 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.'

The Script star founded the band, which shot to success with frontman Danny O'Donoghue and drummer Glen Power, in 2001, selling 20 million records.

Sad news: The Script's guitarist Mark Sheehan has sadly passed away it's been annouced (pictured in 2020)

Heartbreak: The father-of-three lived in America with wife Rina (pictured) with it being reported his 'utterly devastated' bandmates are busy making flight plans for family and friends

The father-of-three lived in America with wife Rina and their children, who kept out of the limelight and led very private lives

The father-of-three lived in America with wife Rina and their children, who kept out of the limelight and led very private lives.

Outside of the band, Sheehan was also a private man, taking care to protect his family from the fame that The Script brought.

Rina, from Texas, met the guitarist after he jetted off to the US with the band as she joined the group as a backing singer in the studio.

They had a private wedding in 2005 and had their first child, Cameron, in 2008, with two more to follow, Avery and Lil.

Married for more than 17 years, the couple had always been fiercely protective of their children's privacy.

Describing how he met Rina in 2008, Sheehan told the Irish Mirror: 'Rina is from Texas, we met on the road. I was producing and working in different studios.

'We just kind of clicked in the usual way you do.'

In 2021, Sheehan took time away from the band and missed nearly a year of gigs in in order to spend more time with his family. 

'His children needed a father and his wife needed a husband,' lead singer Danny O'Donoghue, 42, said at the time.

He went on to say that it was the 'best thing that could have happened' and the musician returned to the trio 'refreshed'. 

He has previously said Sheehan was 'the perfect songwriting partner' with the pair having collaborated on a whole string of hits. 

RIP: Their statement said: 'Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness'

RIP: His shock passing was announced on Friday on the Irish band's official Facebook page, two weeks after the group's latest gig was announced (L-R) Mark Sheehan, Danny O'Donoghue and Glen Joseph in 2019

The Irish President, Michael D Higgins, sent his personal condolences to Rina and the couple's children.

In a lengthy statement, he hailed him as an 'outstanding' example of Irish 'musical success' on the world stage.

'All those who knew Mark Sheehan, and those millions more who enjoyed and appreciated his music, will have been deeply shocked to hear of his too-early death,' the president 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.

'It was a great honour and a privilege when I had the opportunity of hosting Mark and The Script when they performed at Aras an Uachtarain in 2013 as part of my initiative Glaoch - The President's Call, which celebrated Irish creativity and its reach and impact across the world.

'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.

'While Mark will be missed by so many, it is his family who will of course experience the greatest loss. May I extend my deepest sympathies to Mark's wife Rina, to his children Cameron, Avery and Lil, to his bandmates in The Script, and to all his family and friends.'

The world of music has paid tribute to the star following his sudden death. 

Fellow Irish rock band Kodaline said in a statement posted to Twitter: 'So sorry to hear the passing of Mark Sheehan.

'We had the great fortune of getting to spend time in his company over the years and was always such a lovely man. Deepest condolences to his family and his @thescript brothers.'

Band: The group were formed in Dublin in 2001, with Mark on guitar, Glen Power on drums and Danny singing

Family man: Mark (left) took time away from the band and missed nearly a year of gigs in 2021 in order to spend more time with his family

Rushing to the comments section former Love Island host Laura Whitmore wrote: 'Thinking of you all at this time. Mark was one of the nicest and most talented men you could meet x'

Irish pop duo Jedward said: 'Everyone in the Irish music industry and worldwide mourn your loss RIP Mark such a talented musician from The Script [and] one of the most iconic Irish groups of our generation.'

Musician LYRA said: 'So sorry to hear this, sending so much love'. 

DOI's Matt Evers added: 'Sending love to you boys'. 

John Barrowman wrote: 'Oh no, so very sad. [Love] to you and his family'.

JP Cooper added: 'This is devastating! Such a beautiful, nurturing warm-hearted guy! I'm so sorry!'.

And former Love Island host Laura Whitmore wrote: 'Thinking of you all at this time. Mark was one of the nicest and most talented men you could meet x'. 

The group were formed in Dublin in 2001, with Mark on guitar, Glen Power on drums and Danny singing.

They went on to sell 20M records worldwide include The Man Who Can't be Moved, For The First Time, We Cry and Hall of Fame. 

It was reported at the end of March the group were set to play The Halls in Wolverhampton in June.

Danny added in his 2022 chat about the release of the group's single Dare You To Doubt Me it 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'll all come out the other end bigger, better and stronger. Don't think so? Well, I dare you to doubt me!'

Pals: Danny (left) said his pal was 'the perfect songwriting partner' with the pair having collaborated on a whole string of hits.

Danny and Mark wrote 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 track 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 Mirror, the terms of the settlement are unknown after both sides agreed not to speak publicly about the deal. 

MailOnline has contacted James' and The Script's representatives for comment at the time. 

Although 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.