Boyzone’s Shane Lynch to drift at Donny

Boyzone singer Shane Lynch will be competing in the 1st round of the EDC at Donny this this weekend.

The popstar will be taking to the famous track in his Nissan Skyline R33 GTS with Team Japspeed.

As an existing driver within the local competitions of BDC (British Drift Championship), Shayne won the first BDC event last weekend, giving him a wildcard entry into the EDC event this weekend as part of the EDC driver development programme.

Drivers who score wins within BDC, have access to further their options and development by wildcard into each EDC event as the Rounds progress.

In 2007 at the first ever Team Drift competition at Scotland’s Knockhill Shayne won, which shows his driving ability and the rate of his development in Drifting.

This weekend will see Shayne thrown in with EDC's finest for qualifying, and possibly the competition if he continues at the same pace as a rookie driver within EDC.

For more info check out the EDC website

Shane puts his faith in the Valley

FORMER teen idol Shane Lynch.

Around 1,000 people are expected to find out on Sunday, 20 May when they descend to the football club’s Dark Lane home for an afternoon of open air worship.

United at United will see more than 40 Valley churches get together with Shane Lynch and evangelist – and part-time escapologist – Steve Legg for an afternoon of prayer, music and celebration.

Organiser Ashley Stansfield, pastor at Helmshore Christian Fellowship, said he had been delighted with last year’s event but wanted this year’s to be even bigger.

He said: ‘Last year we had going on for 800 people attend and this year we are expecting more than 1,000.

‘It is about the churches coming together and working together to be united; there are a lot of other folk who are interested as well who maybe haven’t been to church for a long time but who are wanting to see the churches coming together on the pitch.’

Although Helmshore Christian Fellowship is the primary organiser, numerous other Valley churches are also on board and have representatives.

Born-again Christian Shane is pegged to speak about his faith and perhaps sing while Steve will deliver a sermon.

The evangelist has been known to speak while escaping from chains, hanging upside down from the roof.

Ashley added: ‘It is going to be really interesting and I’m looking forward to it; it will be lively and it will be a celebration.

‘Some people get the impression that church is stuffy or boring but this definitely will not be that.’

Hoping that the weather will be heavenly, he added: ‘Last year it was pouring down and there was no sign of it letting up.

‘Then, at 2.50pm, it stopped and it was a beautiful day, before it started pouring down again at the last song!’

United at United begins at 3pm; parking will be available at a nearby school and stewards will be on hand in Staghills Road to direct traffic

The singer travelled the world as a member of the highly successful boyband, whose first 12 singles reached the top five in the charts. They became the first Irish act to have four number one hits in the UK and their 1998 tour of Ireland sold out in four hours.

In spite of tremendous success, Shane, who is from Dublin, became disillusioned with life and dropped out of the public eye to search for a deeper meaning. He has now transformed his life and gives inspirational talks to groups.

GMIT Chaplain Fr Tom Brady invited the singer to visit GMIT after seeing him on The Late Late Show last year. "Shane has a positive message young people need to hear, one which will help them find their way in life," said Fr Tom.

He continued, "The seemingly easy and fun road of excess drink and drugs very often ends up bringing more pain, destruction and ruin than does the promise of Nirvana. Shane has been down that road too and was lucky to see the dead ends they presented."

The talk will take place at GMIT's Dublin Road campus in Theatre 1000. Members of the public are welcome. Admission is ?2.

A FORMER member of the chart-toppers Boyzone has appeared at a Worcestershire Christian event - and exclusively revealed the band may be reforming.

Shane Lynch was at the Bank House hotel, Bransford, near Worcester, to address an annual Alpha Supper hosted by Hope Church, Worcester.

As a member of Boyzone in the 1990s, Lynch, along with Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Ronan Keating had six number one singles, four number one albums and sold more than 10 million records worldwide.

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But he told the event, organised on Tuesday night to introduce people to Christianity, about his troubled life and how religion saved him.

He said: "It was an amazing time being in Boyzone because I had everything I wanted. But there was still an emptiness in my life and I wasn't fulfiled.

"We are all searching for happiness and contentment in our lives and money doesn't bring you that."

As a result, the 30-year-old said he explored cults and other forms of religion.

"I went deep into witchcraft and seances which made my life hellish," he said.

"I was in a bad, bad way with depression. I didn't think that any one person could help me, so I turned to God."

About four years ago he went back to his Catholic roots to a church in Ireland and was so impressed he signed up to Bible classes.

He said: "It kind of blew me away. The church was packed and it was then, for the first time in my life, that I felt safe. It gave me love, understanding and a reason to live."

Asked about the band, Lynch - who recently appeared in ITV1's Celebrity Love Island until he "got bored" and left - said a reunion tour could happen six years after Boyzone split.

He said: "We always talk about getting back together, and to be honest it's never been so close to that happening as it is right now. We are committed to certain contracts often six months in advance but let's just say it's not an impossible task."

But the star added: "To be on stage in front of 20,000 people is amazing and you want to find that next high whatever way you can but the biggest high I have ever had is when I raise my hands in church to praise the Lord."

11:30am Thursday 28th September 2006

Shane says Sheena's The One

LOVE Island hunk Shane Lynch admits he’d like to wed the girl he left the beach-based show for.

The former Boyzone singer walked out on the ITV reality show after a month so he could get back together with Sheena White.

And speaking at the premiere of Will Ferrell flick Talladega Nights, Shane told how he hopes she’s The One.

The 30-year-old said: “I’ve known her a while and I did some wrong things but we’re back together. I love her dearly.

“I hope she’s The One. I hope we’ll get engaged, although not just yet.”

'Island's Shane wants to marry girlfriend

Thursday, September 14 2006, 11:54 BST - by Daniel Kilkelly

Shane Lynch to relaunch pop career

Sunday, August 20 2006, 10:33 BST - by Daniel Kilkelly