Inside Boyzone's Shane Lynch and Ronan Keating's bitter feud despite peak stardom

Boyzone, the hit Irish boy band, rose to stardom during the 1990s and achieved immense success across the UK.

Under the direction of their famed manager, Louis Walsh, the group garnered 21 singles in the top 40 and 22 in the Irish charts, six UK No. 1 singles, and nine in Ireland.

However, away from the fame, adoring fans and stadium tours, Keith Duffy, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch’s relationships became fractured.

Things came to a head in 1999 after the release of their greatest hits album By Request when Ronan launched his first solo single, a rendition of 'When You Say Nothing at All'.

The single gained immense popularity after being featured on the Notting Hill soundtrack and then on his debut album, Ronan, which secured him Number 1 spots in both the single and album charts, but not all Boyzone members were pleased.

After numerous disagreements, exhaustion, and aspirations to explore solo careers outside the band, the group mutually decided to take a break after their tour.

Shane held a deep rage for Ronan and admitted he once wanted to “destroy” him.

The feud will finally be explored in detail today as the boy band returns to the spotlight with their documentary Boyzone: No Matter What on Sky Documentaries.

In the trailer, Shane admitted: “At its peak was a gruelling time, there was no mercy whatsoever.

“We were tired, we were broken. I was angry at Ro for years and I found myself in this dark world, it didn't take a lot to upset me and it would come out.”

Despite this, the two have since buried the bitterness as the singer added: “The rage I had for Ronan, in my mind I was going to destroy him. I was fuming, but when I saw his face I could do nothing but hug the fella.”

Speaking on their reconciliation, Shane revealed that his faith helped him get past their feud, as he reflected: “I went through a time where I was very angry and had a very loose tongue.

“I was very confused, very violent. God helped me get through everything. I was stupid. Ronan Keating was one of my closest friends for years. We fell out through childish behaviour – mine.

“As you move on, you can look back and say: ‘Wasn’t that a bit stupid?’ or ‘Why did I do that?’ I said a lot of stupid things about Ronan out of anger I have now apologised to him. Ronan has accepted my apology, and we can move on.’”

The band reunited after Stephen’s 2009 death with an album titled Brother, dedicated to him which went on to become their fourth studio number-one album.