‘We’ll do our final show on Stephen’s anniversary’
‘I’ve learned to accept what life throws my way – that’s what my faith means to me’
Shane Lynch joined Boyzone in 1993, and the group went on to sell 25 million records. Here, the 42-year-old Irishman, who has daughter Billie Rae, nine, and Marley Mae, five, with his second wife Sheena White, talks about why the band’s upcoming tour will be their last, and how they plan on paying tribute to fellow bandmate, the late Stephen Gately…
Next year marks 25 years since Boyzone was formed. Do you remember your first day in the band?
I remember the final audition. I was one of 10 boys left on stage. One of those was Colin Farrell, who’s now a Hollywood actor. I was standing there thinking, ‘ Wow, this is actually going to happen.’ Then I got picked for the band and my life changed forever. Colin hasn’t done too badly, either!
What’s been the highlight for you – what are you the most proud of?
Every single release, every album we made, had its own worth and [ gave me a] sense of achievement. But I remember being on the cover of Smash Hits for the first time and we just thought we were rock gods. When I look back, that was a defining moment for the band. It was like, we’d arrived. In reality, it was just the beginning.
[Boyzone and Westlife manager] Louis Walsh said Boyzone were more fun to work with than Westlife! Do you have Louis to thank for your success?
I love him. He’s a great, kindhearted man. He promised us the sun, the moon and the stars, and he delivered the lot. In the end, we had our ups and downs together – but I still have nothing but respect for him. He gave us the chance to change our lives.
After this final tour, the band will split up for good. How hard was it to make that decision?
Well, 25 years is quite an achievement, so we were always going to celebrate that and record the last album. I think we all agreed that, following the tour, that should be the end of Boyzone. You have to draw the line somewhere.
What does your wife, Sheena, think about the band splitting up?
I always discuss everything with Sheena, and I listen to her advice all the time because she understands the industry. So, she agreed it was the right time for us to split. She knows that every time there’s a Boyzone tour or album, we both have to put the rest of our lives on hold.
The final tour date will be very emotional for you all. How do you plan to deal with it?
What we are planning is to do the very last show on the 10th anniversary of Stephen’s death – so yes, that will be very emotional for us and the fans, but I think it’s very important to mark that memory. It will be the defining moment for Boyzone.
You’ve had your own challenges – not least, losing Stephen in 2009. Has your faith helped you through those dark days?
Massively. Faith [ he is a born-again Christian] to me is acceptance. It’s given me understanding as to why things happen. Most of what happens is out of our control. Like when you lose someone close or when you don’t get the job
you wanted, but our human needs are not necessarily our godly needs. I’ve learned to live and accept what life throws my way – that’s what my faith means to me.
There’s a special tribute to Stephen on the new album, called I Can Dream. How did that come about?
A music producer found this song with Stephen’s vocal already done, so we just had to use it. It was fate and amazing timing, and we wanted the fans to hear Stephen’s voice on our last album. Boyzone was a five-piece band. The band will always be remembered that way, because of Stephen.
You also have some help on the new album in the shape of Ed Sheeran and Gary Barlow, don’t you?
Yes, and when someone hands you a song written by Ed Sheeran, of course you’re going to put it on your album! Same for Gary. I believe Gary is one of the best songwriters in the world. So we’re very lucky to have two songs from two of Britain’s best songwriters.
How do you envisage life after Boyzone? Are you excited? Scared?
I’m not at all afraid of the future – I love what I’m doing. My motor sport career is massive. I recently presented a documentary on motor racing called Gorkana Grid. I also have lots of business interests, so I never get bored!
You did Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year. Will you do more reality TV shows?
I think so. I enjoy doing those kinds of shows. In September, I start filming a new show for National Geographic TV called Supercar Megabuild, so I’m excited for that. Cars are in my blood – it’s strange to think that I was working in my Dad’s garage as a mechanic the week before I joined Boyzone!
Thank You & Goodnight, the new album, is out 16 November. The single, Because, is out now. The tour starts January 2019, see ticketmaster.co.uk