Mystery surrounds Script guitarist Mark Sheehan's absence as band tours without him

Mark Sheehan is one of the core trio behind the Dublin act, which has had huge hits with the likes of The Man Who Can't be Moved and For The First Time.

"The band isn't available for comment but on the band's socials they mention he is spending time with his family currently," a spokesperson for The Script told the Sunday World.

The group is currently on tour in America and is due to play several Irish shows in the coming weeks, including ones at SSE Belfast on May 14 and 15, the 3 Arena in Dublin and an outdoor concert in Musgrave Park in Cork on June 19.

The combo is fronted by Danny O'Donoghue, while is other main member is drummer Glen Power.

Mark (45), who grew up in the Liberties in south inner city Dublin, is the father of teenage children and lives in America with his wife, whom he married when he was aged 25.

"Reena is from Texas ­- we met on the road," he once said.

"I was producing and working in different studios and she was a studio session singer and backing singer. "And we just kind of clicked in the usual way you do."

The couple had their first child, a boy, 17 years ago.

Mark and Danny first cut their teeth in pop group My Town, who were managed by U2 guru Paul McGuinness.

After the demise of the band the two lads headed to Los Angeles on McGuinness's advice to learn production, recording. They were joined by fellow Dubliner Glenn Power on drums and The Script were born in 2007 and then released their eponymous debut album a year later.

Their frontman Danny O'Donoghue became a huge star in the UK thanks to becoming a judge on The Voice.

Drummer Glen, who has a girlfriend, recently told the Sunday World he is looking forward to the Irish shows. He had a close bond with his late father, Gary, who had been a well-known entertainer on the Dublin circuit.

"It's gonna be a great buzz. It feels like the right time to do this (greatest hits show) now after everything everyone has been through," he said.