Huddersfield Daily Examiner

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SKING Shane Lynch to recall his memories of being in Boyzone – the hugely successful boy band who, at the height of their fame in the Nineties, sold 25 million records worldwide – proves surprising­ly challengin­g.

“To be honest, I don’t have any memory of that time, when we first found fame, set in my soul – it was like an out-of-body experience,” admits the 40-year-old Irishman.

“I didn’t have time to enjoy it – at one point we were performing in three countries in a day. It was absolute madness. The most time I ever got home for was three days in seven years. We were teenagers who were on this express train of work, heading to fame and success, but with no time for anything else.

“Sharing stages and songs with Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Pavarotti was incredible, but the only way I know I was there is because I’m in the photo, otherwise I’d have no recollecti­on. It’s all a blur.”

Soon he’ll be forging new memories. The band (Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham) are recording a new album to be released in 2018 to coincide with a tour marking their 25th anniversar­y.

“Me and the boys are like brothers and we just can’t let 25 years go unmarked,” says Shane, who these days proudly sports a beard. “Nowadays I can look like I want – we don’t have to stick to an image – and that’s great. The others have beard envy! I’m really looking forward to stepping back on stage. It’s addictive, that huge adrenaline rush you get from performing to thousands of people, and totally turning your back on that is hard.”

When the band aren’t performing – they’ve regularly reunited over the years – he fulfils his adrenaline-rush craving by motor racing, a career he’s enjoyed for 20 years. He presents and drives on TV’s Supercar Megabuild on National Geographic.

“I always need to get that high and buzz from risk. Driving crazy cars at high speeds – I’ve just driven one at 200mph for supermodel Jodie Kidd – and risking my ass, is pretty much up there with the thrill you get from walking out on stage. It’s mind blowing.

“I feel so lucky I’ve literally been able to live the dream – have an

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