He's a boy racer and dresses like a gangsta rapper, but there's a soft centre beneath Shane Boyzone's toughie exterior. We expose the real man behind those eyebrows...

Despite the way you dress, you're really a big softie aren't you, Shane ?
(Goes slightly pink) That's very true. People have told me that when they first meet me, they immediately think I'm hard, serious and maybe a bit ignorant, heh heh! In fact I'm the complete opposite!

Do you quite enjoy pretending you're tough, then ?
Yeah I tink so, because I'm actually quite shy and quiet. It's my way of being loud without having to shout about it. It's my way of being noticed. I'm an extremist. When I do something, I do it to the full.

Wouldn't you rather be in a hip-hop or rap band, as that's the kind of music you listen to ?
No, it's a funny thing but as much as I love the music, I know I wouldn't be able to do it as well as those bands do. Why not ? Maybe it's confidence, I don't know. It's very different from what I do. Perhaps if I made that kind of music I wouldn't enjoy it so much. Let's just say I'm happy doing what I do.

What reastion do you get when you turn up at home in your Porsche ?
As far as Irish people are concerned, if they see you in nice clothes and a good car they say you're showing off with your money. However, if you wear casual, normal clothes they turn round and say 'Oh look, he's not doing well at all. I wear stuff like that,' and they diss you as a failure. I don't feel I'm showing off, it's just that I can now do what I want to do.

What's the big deal about driving fast ?
It's just an amazing feeling, although it's a very different buzz to going out on stage. Is it like a sexual buzz ? No, not at all. It's just a great feeling.

You're very easy-going, but there must be times when you really lose it.
I do take things in my stride but yeah, I can be pushed too far if there's a girl involved. Nothing else gets to me - people can say whatever they like - but if it's to do with someone I really love, I can lose it. Then it crushes me.

Was there a particular time when you lost it ?
No, not really, it just happens sometimes. I've even become violent in the past when really provoked. When ? Let's just say in the recent past. Most times, I'll just walk away but everyone has those days when you just flip, you've had enough. So yeah, I have those too.... occasionally.

Be honest Shane, don't you feel jealous when Ro or Stephen are always on magazine covers ?
No, really I don't. I'm very happy the way it is. I see Ro get's all the press attention and hassle all the time and it's not what I's want. I'm very happy to be at the back. I do what I do to the best of my ability and that's all I'm interested in. They can have their fame.

But you're the next most popular after them...
(Goes all read and bashful) Oh yeah ? I never think about being a sex symbol. If I thought like that then It'd do my head in. I'm just Shane Lynch.

How come you're so level-headed ?
I'd say it's to do with being fairly mature. I've been working since I was 12, I left school at 15 and went out on my own at 16. I had to grow up really quickly. I'm like that with woman too. The woman I date are usually four or five years older then me.

So, in a relationship, do you look for someone who's mature ?
Yeah, definitely. I like someone who knows what she's about. That's very important. But I like to be able to look after a woman, too.

Is it difficult after all your success to relate to your friends at home ?
Yeah, in some ways. In the first two years it was easy, but it's become harder over the past year and a half. I see them less and I do start to wonder what they think of me these days. But then, they were interested in where I'd been. Now they know what I'm doing, it's on TV in the papers and we're way up there. I'd really like to know what they think.

Has anyone close to you told you that you've really changed ?
Yeah, the boys. They say I've changed into the person I always wanted to be. I couldn't be this person back in Ireland. I've also learnt to see my role within Boyzone and understand what I contribute to the band.

And what's that ?
My image. The way I look. That's a large part of what I bring to the band. For example, look at our clothes when you see us on TV - all the boys' trousers are tight, where as mine are massive. I'm different, I add variety.

What's the most important lesson you've learnt over the past few years ?
That's difficult because I have a big heart for people. If somebody pulls one over on me, I'd find it hard to be annoyed with that person. Even if I didn't know them, I wouldn't want to get them back - but they'd probably walk all over me again. I don't really learn from experiences like that.

Is there any part of your career you've been disillusioned with ?
I don't think so. I was brought up never to have anything handed to me on a plate. If I wasn't a good kid, I wouldn't get what I wanted. I had to be disciplined, where as most kids seemed to be bold and naughty.

You don't drink or smoke. How do you feel when you see others indulging ?
I believe in everyone to their own. However, smokeing is one thing that does wind me up and if I could have a separate car to travel around in rather than sit with smokers, I would. I can be quite blunt about telling someone not to smoke if it's really getting in my face, but then I think it's rude if someone lights up in front of you without checking that it's OK first.

If you had to choose between being in Boyzone or car racing for the rest of your life, which one would you pick ?
If it were for the rest of my life then I'd definitely race cars. Don't get me wrong, I love my life in the band, but racing is my future. And I'd become famous doing it. It's going to be my next career. You watch.

So Shane, are you still going to be plucking your eyebrow when you're 50 ?
(Gives big frin) Yes! I really cannot imagine my face without this plucked eyebrow. I tink I would be too plain without it!

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