Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder reveals devastating reason he still has to ‘work hard and make money’ at 61 as he details children’s battle with ADHD

Shaun Ryder has opened up about the shocking reason why he still has to ‘work hard and make money’ at his age. 

The Happy Mondays star, 61, revealed he has to work as hard as he does in order to fund therapy for five of his six children, who are all grappling with ADHD.

Shaun, who starred in I’m A Celeb South Africa this year, had previously disclosed that only his two daughters had the condition, but has now detailed that Jael, Coco, Pearl, Lulu, Joseph, and Oliver also have it.

Talking to The Sun the Black Grape frontman – who was diagnosed himself in his fifties – told how having the condition has meant one of his daughters is a ‘genius at maths’.

Candidly sharing the news, Shaun emphasised the financial strain, saying: ‘I have six kids and five of them have it. That’s why I’m always working, because I’ve got to pay for their f***ing therapy.’

He went on to stress the uniqueness of each ADHD case, stating that each one is different.

Reflecting on how his ADHD causes him to forget things, Shaun spoke out about how when he was at school, he would often leave the classroom, instantly forgetting what he had just been taught and how having the condition can affect his behaviour and lead to impulsive actions like drug use, which he has openly admitted to using.

The Gogglebox star said: ‘Even though I wasn’t diagnosed until 50 odd years old, when I was at school while I was in the class I would take things and understand it, by the time the lesson had ended and I walked out that door I couldn’t remember anything. I just didn’t retain the information.

‘And also the ADHD, with me, led to promiscuous behaviour, drugs, trouble.’

MailOnline has contacted Shaun’s representatives for comment.

Shaun first rose to prominence in the 80s with his band the Happy Mondays, alongside late brother Paul and their friends Mark Day, Paul Davis, and Gary Whelan. His friend and bandmate, Bez, later joined the band as a percussionist.

In the 90s he was also the lead singer of another band, Black Grape, and has since reportedly amassed a fortune of more than £2.5million. 

As well as his singing career, Shaun has also enjoyed successful stints on reality television.

Shaun has been married to his wife Joanna since 2010 and they share three children, Pearl, 15, and Lulu, 14, and a son Olli.

They had a surprise wedding during Lulu’s christening, which turned out to be a double celebration at a court house in Worsley.

Shaun has four other children from previous relationships, one of whom is his son Joe, who appeared on First Dates.

The star’s son, 19, appeared to be hoping to use his father’s star power as a chat up line, however it sadly fell flat.

After asking if his date Jacob, 18, had heard of the band Happy Mondays, the baffled teen shook his dead and admitted he didn’t know who he was. 

Joe, 19, who studies fashion and business, admitted he was proud to ‘name drop’ his father.

It was revealed following Shaun’s 2010 stint in the Australian jungle that he owed Joe’s mother child support payments after insisting he was broke.

Shaun had previously agreed two years prior to make monthly payments of £400 towards Joe’s upbringing, however he apparently failed to make them.