The Script guitarist Mark Sheehan dies aged 46

The co-founder and guitarist of Irish rock band The Script, Mark Sheehan, has died.

The 46-year-old died in hospital on Friday following a brief illness, the band announced.

Sheehan formed the group in 2001 alongside vocalist Danny O'Donoghue and drummer Glen Power.

A statement on the band's social media pages said Sheehan was a "much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend".

It asked fans to respect the privacy of his family and bandmates.

Sheehan was born on 29 October 1976 in Dublin in Mount Brown in The Liberties area.

He was a singer, songwriter and guitarist, and passionate about music from a young age.

From 1996-2001 he was a member of the band Mytown, alongside The Script's frontman O'Donoghue.

The Script started in Dublin in 2001 with Sheehan as guitarist, O'Donoghue as singer songwriter and Power as drummer.

The band moved to London after signing a record contract with Sony Music Group.

It was there that they released their first full album, "We Cry", which went onto reach number one in both Ireland and the UK.

After that their next three albums Science & Faith, #3 and No Sound Without Silence, all topped the album charts in both countries.

Science & Faith reached number three in the United States and number two in Australia.

Since then the band have continued to tour the world and release original music albums, combining Irish themes with pop-rock nuances.

They have been known for their writing from the heart, including "If You Could See Me Now", addressing the death of vocalist O'Donoghue's father and both of Sheehan's parents.

Fans over the last year have wondered why Sheehan had a short break from the stage.

In 2022, Sheehan missed the US leg of the band's tour. O'Donoghue told the media that his bandmate had taken a break to spend time with his family.

He explained to Sunday World that the group were supportive of Sheehan's decision and described them as a "a band of brothers" who "stick together no matter what".

The band's fans have been paying tribute to Sheehan across social media, sharing their memories of their albums and performances.

Fellow Irish rock band Kodaline have also paid tribute, posting on 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 The Script brothers."