Just three songs have debuted at Number 1 this year (Zayn Malik’s Pillowtalk, Major Lazer, Justin Bieber and MØ’s Cold Water and Little Mix’s Shout Out To My Ex), while all other chart-toppers this year so far have taken an average of over five weeks to reach the summit from the point of entering the Top 100. What is important is that they feel positive in their day to day lives, and we’re also over the moon to be helping such a fantastic charity like Get Fit 4 Mental Wellness in the process.”

Considering that today is also World Homelessness Day, it’s clear that Shinny is firing on all cylinders. Good on him. We are almost at the final closure of the Salford Star but we write this article as a warning to others who may follow on the pitfalls of founding a genuine publication that aims to give the community a voice and hold public bodies up to account. The film is being written and directed by award-winning director Chris Green, who has been in the business for more than 18 years since coming runner-up in the prestigious Northern Soul new writers competition. While in recovery at Smithfield Detox Clinic in Manchester, he decided to write a song titled Christmas Number One, inspired by the times that he had ruined Christmas. He started an online group and used it to promote the single. Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletterAfter all, people may look fine on the surface – which is how they present themselves online – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering underneath. It was whilst he was in rehab that he began writing songs and last year took on the charts with a song called Christmas Number 1.

I had to show them that it is possible to pull through. Now I’ve got a new addiction, which is boxing and getting fit. Surprised by the popularity of the group (over 110,000 members), he labelled the broadcasts the SHINNySHOwLIVe. The channel offered a unique insight into a growing operation and had a decent sideline in random acts of silliness. The Making of an Addict will show Shinny at his most vulnerable as he shares deeply personal aspects of his life. The film will hone in on the realities of addiction to recreate moments of desperation and paranoia. I’m fighting for the family. None of them wanted me to do it, but they’d prefer me living a clean life and fighting every now and then.”

SHINNy aims to reach individuals across the city region and beyond to help educate, engage and support people around mental health. Hanky Park are also known for a cover of Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart, featuring Hook playing his original bass parts, which has been adopted as an anthem by the Salford Reds. You can catch all Shinny’s highs and lows – if you haven’t already – on his popular Facebook platform, Shinny Show Live. With over 100,000 members in the group alone, people tune in to his online videos to keep updated with this Salford lad who says it as it is. With Shinny, what you see is what you get. And he’s on a path to better mental health following years of difficulty. He has only been stopped once so I expected a tough fight but I feel like I've not even fought and could probably go again!

He said: "I was finding my feet a bit in the first round and getting used to it again but after that I was trying to get at him. He kept holding which made it difficult to land any telling punches. SHINNy represented Leeds Rhinos and his hometown club Salford Reds. After a career in rugby, he became a professional boxer. In his final bout, SHINNy boxed at the MEN Arena on the undercard of the legendary Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy bout. Filming started last weekend in Langworthy for a new feature film by Chris Green of Strangeways Here We Come fame. Making of an Addict, 'stark and brutal', is based on the life of Salford singer, boxer and all round good guy, Shinny, and Ian Leslie went along to movie HQ at the Langworthy Cornerstone to find out more. Shinny is very open about his own experiences with substance abuse. He even uses his popular online SHINNy Show Live to have an honest and open dialogue on matters including drink, drugs, anxiety and depression. Today, the Salford Star shuts down but we write this article as a warning to others who may follow on the pitfalls of founding a genuine publication that aims to give the community a voice and hold public bodies up to account.

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Chris Greenhalgh, the founder of I Love MCR®, said: “What’s not to love about SHINNy? A down-to-earth character who’s not afraid to put his hand up and admit his failures. A man who’s been there, done that, and now faces his demons with an open mind – and he’s not afraid to share his vulnerabilities and mental health with the world.