Ian "H" Watkins

Ian "H" Watkins (born 8 May 1976) is a Welsh singer, dancer and stage actor, known for being one of two male singers of the British pop group Steps. He has said that "H" stands for "hyperactive", describing his character.^[1]

Post-Steps career

H & Claire

After Steps split on Boxing Day 2001 he formed a duo, H & Claire, with fellow ex-Steps member Claire Richards. They released three singles and an album.

Musical theatre

He then decided to take a musical theatre course at the Royal Academy of Music. Whilst taking the course he also appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and was filmed for a reality TV series, H-side Story, which followed him as he tried to make a new career in acting. In 2003 he was voted number 8 on a Channel 4 poll of 100 Worst Britons We Love to Hate.^[2] Following extra tuition, Watkins performed at Preston's Charter theatre in the pantomime Cinderella as the character of Buttons. In summer 2007, he performed in the West End version of Fame. During Christmas 2007, he reprised his role as Buttons in the pantomime Cinderella at the Grimsby Auditorium. Christmas 2010 saw his return to Grimsby as he performed in the pantomime Beauty and the Beast, playing the part of Muddles. In 2013, Watkins announced that he was returning to his role as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in June.

Television

In June 2006, Watkins appeared in a special week of episodes of the BBC Radio Drama Silver Street on the BBC Asian Network. He played the character of former soldier Dave in episodes set in the Welsh countryside. In November 2006, Watkins featured on the BBC Children in Need Celebrity Scissorhands show, where Michelle cut his hair.

Watkins was the ninth housemate to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house on 3 January 2007.^[3] He finished in fourth place on Celebrity Big Brother 5 and was the highest placed British contestant in the show.

In April 2007, Watkins starred as the 'hidden' celebrity in an episode of the CBBC show Hider in the House. On 11 March 2008, Watkins presented a documentary about growing up gay in Wales, shown on BBC Wales.^[4] Whilst filming for this, Watkins interviewed Christian Voice leader Stephen Green. During the interview Green compared him to Jeffrey Dahmer.^[5][6] Watkins starred in a production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang playing the part of the child catcher, with performances in Cardiff and Sunderland before touring with Frank Vickerys Erogenous Zones playing Michael.

In December 2008, Watkins was a contestant in Bargain Hunt Famous Finds and partnered with Connie Fisher. He played the role of 'Silly Billy' in pantomime Jack & The Beanstalk at the Southport Theatre from 10 December 2009 to 3 January 2010. Watkins appeared on Skins, episode 2 of series 4.^[7] He appeared in the Living TV show Party Wars.^[8] Watkins also appeared in Cinderella.

In February 2013, Watkins was a contestant in the celebrity special of the ITV quiz show The Chase along with three other celebrities.

In 2014 he appeared as one of the celebrities challenged to learn Welsh in a week on the S4C programme Cariad@Iaith^[9]

Steps reunion

Ever since the band's break-up, rumours had been circulating that they would reunite in one form or another. In 2009, Lee Latchford-Evans revealed that the band had been approached to perform a series of concerts. He hinted that a future reunion was possible, but that "it isn't the right time right now".^[10] In early 2011, rumours began circulating that Steps would reunite for a TV series and a one-off concert to mark the tenth anniversary of their 2001 split.^[11] Despite the claims being reported by various news stations and newspapers, the reunion was denied by band's members, including Claire Richards on her Twitter page. Richards also announced, on 9 July 2011, that a Steps reunion would be "silly", but she would "never say never".^[12] However, contrary to these claims, just 12 days later it was announced that Steps would be reuniting for a four-part Sky Living documentary, depicting their split and the intermittent years. The band would also release their Ultimate Collection, as well as potential new material.^[13]

In an interview with Digital Spy on 20 September 2011, Steps said that they believe there may still be a gap in the market for their brand of "happy pop". Scott-Lee said: "Times have changed, but we are in a recession and Steps' music was very light-hearted and fun, so there could be a place for that in today's society ... What else is interesting is that there aren't any boy/girl pop groups out there at the moment".^[14]

Misidentification

In November 2013 it was reported that Watkins had been receiving hate mail through Twitter from people confusing him with Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, who had recently pleaded guilty to 11 sex offences involving children.^[15] Watkins received a public apology in court from E! Entertainment Television for their having used his photo to illustrate a story about the other Watkins.^[16] Watkins was also said to be "furious" and pursuing legal action after his image appeared next to stories about the other Watkins' crimes through searches on Google News.^[17]

Personal life

On 3 January 2007, Watkins came out publicly as gay in an interview with The Sun newspaper, also confirming his relationship with Paul Akehurst.^[18] His interview was published the same day he entered the Celebrity Big Brother house. During his tenure with Steps, Watkins was involved in a relationship with the group's manager, Tim Byrne.^[18][19] Watkins has been in a relationship with Craig Ryder since 2007.^[20] On 6 March 2016, they welcomed twins sons, Macsen and Cybi Ryder-Watkins, via surrogate.^[21]

Discography