Shane Lynch has revealed he is done with showbiz and has quit his band Boyzone for good.
The Dublin-born singer, 46, who was part of one of the biggest 90s boybands - which consisted of lead singer Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and the late Stephen Gately - has decided to move away from life in the spotlight for good.
As he permanently quits showbiz, here's a look at what the family man's life is like off screen.
READ MORE: Have your say on next RTE Late Late Show host as Ryan Tubridy's departure just days away
Wife and family
Shane and singer Sheena White met in 2000 at a Party at the Park. They were married in Ireland on 22 August 2007, and on 25 October 2008, Sheena gave birth to their daughter Billie Rae. The couple celebrated the birth of their second child in September 2012, another daughter whom they named Marley Mae.
Sheena is one of the cast on the Real Housewives of Cheshire. She was previously a successful backing singer and worked with the likes of Westlife and Blur. She also appeared in sitcom Cold Feet as Miranda, but these days she runs a high-end performance car business and an Irish bar.
Shane and Sheena have been married for the last 14 years. However, they briefly split last year during the first lockdown after a series of rows.
At the time, Shane said, "We have had difficult times and are going through difficult times right now in this isolation thing. I'm not even in my family home right now because me and her were at each other's throats. It wasn't a good time or a good space."
However, the couple managed to work through their differences and are now stronger than ever.
Shane previously told the Irish Sun: "Nobody wants to get divorced, least of all me. Myself and Sheena are not divorced, we are not separated - we are just going to work on our relationship, because relationships need to be worked on. I am committed to family and my wife. I love her dearly and hopefully we will be together for many years in the future."
He added: "Life can be a struggle and marriage is not easy. Relationships can be difficult certainly in periods of time like this. I've got two beautiful children and a beautiful wife and I'm back home right now."
Religion
The star became a Christian in 2003 after being been involved with clairvoyants and ouija boards and claimed to have been frequently visited by evil spirits who tortured his mind in his teenage years. He was persuaded to convert by close friend Ben Ofoedu, who was his colleague in the band REDhill which Lynch joined after Boyzone.
Shane, who is a Pentecostal born again Christian, explained his own relationship with his religion, saying: “I’m a born again Christian. It’s a lifestyle, it’s not a religion at all."
“I was born and raised a Catholic, but I was baptised as a child. Being born again is the symbolism of baptism.
“So as an adult, I made the choice to be baptised. And I decided to have a direct relationship with God.”
Quitting showbiz
The family man has shed light on his permanent decision not to ever reunite with Boyzone. Shane said part of the reason behind his break away from the spotlight was due to age.
As he reached his 40s, Shane realised he couldn't just be "the same adult" for the rest of his life, and he needed to work out how to transition to other "head spaces" in his life.
“I won’t be performing with them again,” he said. “They might not know exactly. I haven’t gone to them saying, ‘Boys, I’m not coming back to the band.’
"I’ve just been very open that I’m out of the industry – music, TV and everything," the star went on.
Shane continued to say there was no fallout with band members Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Ronan Keating because of his decision.
“It’s not like I got a phone call to ask, ‘What are you doing that for?’ We’d no plans to do anything anyway,” he said.
However, Shane said he was still supporting the rest of the boys with any future plans. "They can absolutely crack on without me," Shane said. "I love the boys, so I’ll watch them. Don’t be gutted."
Shane made the revelation during his final episode of Pilgrimage on the BBC, which sees him and six other celebrities undertake a trek across northern Portugal to Fatima. He said he was done with the "repetitive lifestyle."
READ MORE
- Ant and Dec to step back from Saturday Night Takeaway after 20th season
- Student run over by car during terrifying north Dublin robbery thanks 'amazing' supporters
- Major Dublin Airport queues after baggage system malfunctions
- Over 1,000 people attend festival celebrating Dublin's vibrant multiculturalism
- Leave your messages of support for Katie Taylor as she takes on Chantelle Cameron at Dublin's 3Arena
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
