Church Times interview

7th July 2008

Boyzone is back in all of its glory. We’re on tour from 25 May in Belfast, and then Wembley, and then all around the UK in June, and then in July and August we’re playing at various festivals.

It’s great to be back — to get together in a fresh-minded way. We’d kept in touch for about eight years, and talked about getting back together, but it has taken two years to wind up the solo things we were doing.

This is our singles tour — our greatest hits. My favourite is “Isn’t it a wonder?” which we made back in 1996 — just because it was our first video and we made it in a place called Broken Hill, in Australia. It was one of the most pleasurable times I had with the band.

It’s amazing that I’m able to bring out a book — The Chancer — today. I was a no-hoper at school. I was written off. Believe me, I did try, but I didn’t understand it.

I took a chance — that’s how my life has been. I didn’t sing, dance, or play an instrument, but I was just invited to be in this band. I took a chance. I suppose I cheated my way through the system. It’s been amazing.

I’ve made enough money not to have to work again. Most definitely I’ve been very blessed. Do I deserve it?

I shouldn’t be in such a position — but then I took a chance. I was the guy that got off the sofa. . .

My father is probably the biggest influence in my life. I had a good upbringing. He never stood in my way. He was very supportive of my decision to be in a band. I suppose he might have said: “Why are you giving up a good job?”

My father was into racing cars, and I grew up around engines. I was working as a motor mechanic, but was offered the opportunity to drive with some celebrities in a race, and finished up with a podium position. After that I’ve never looked back.

I’ve raced with some amazing teams. I never expected it to happen.

I’ve had my fair share of accidents. A racing car is 2000 nuts and bolts waiting to go wrong.

I was born and raised a Catholic, but it wasn’t part of my lifestyle. I was just a regular kid.

I understood there was a spiritual realm, the dark side. In the late ’90s I spent a lot of time getting involved with the occult. So I understood there had to be a light side. When life became too much, I got down on my knees and asked God for help. It blew my mind that he answered me.

I had all the money I could want, but you can’t buy God. You have to build that relationship. I served that ball up to him, and he hit it back to me with full force.

I got baptised four years ago. I’m happiest when I’m with my wife, or being in church. I go to a big, Charismatic, uplifting church.

I don’t find it difficult being a Christian — except perhaps in relations with the female situation. I’m glad to say I’m a happily married man now.

I regret absolutely nothing. I can only apologise for mistakes I’ve made in the past, but they are ones I won’t make again.

I have 50 hours of tattooing on my body, and most of them represent my life’s journey. My favourite part of the Bible is Psalm 88, verses 1-13, which is about the transition from dark to light. I have that tattooed all down my back.

I’m not really an angry guy. I take life in my stride.

I haven’t got a clue what I’d like to be remembered for. Do I want to be remembered? Do I have that choice? If I make an impact on the world, I just hope it’s a pleasant one.

I don’t read.

Fairtrade? I don’t do any shopping. My wife would probably know.

I don’t waste God’s time. My prayers are very direct. If there’s something, I ask him once, and I believe he does it. That’s what my belief is like.

I’d most like to get locked in a church with the devil, so I could wring his neck and show him what God’s about.

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=57243