In July 2016, 1919 released a promo video for Bloodline, which was to be the title track for their second studio album. The band had signed a deal with Westworld Recordings to release the album but, with a release date not yet set, ventured once again into Europe to promote the single. After the first leg of the tour, the band were forced to cancel most of the remaining shows as Mark had been diagnosed with cancer on his return home. The band played a final show at Brighton Racecourse's Undercover Festival, with Mark's dramatic weight loss making it impossible to travel for extended periods. This show, regrettably, would be his swansong.

On 28th January 2017, 1919 announced the tragic news of the passing of their iconic guitarist, aged just 56, after his short battle with the disease. The coming days saw tributes pour in from around the world as the news broke throughout the music press, and his obituary was posted in multiple languages as a result. With Tighe insistent the band continue indefinitely in his absence, an album-release show was still scheduled for the following week in Leeds. At the last minute, and after careful deliberation despite the insistence from Mark in his final days, the remaining band decided to press ahead with a show to honour the great man, with Joel Heyes stepping up to play guitar for the night. With people travel from near and far to be in attendance, it proved to be a special performance and a fitting tribute to Mark, with money collected for Marie Curie in his honour (and you can choose to donate here.)