Ian "H" Watkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ian Watkins
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Watkins in 2022
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Ian Watkins
8 May 1976 Llwynypia, Mid Glamorgan, Wales
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| Partner(s) | Tom Hope |
| Children | 2 |
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| Genres | Pop |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1997–present |
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Ian Watkins (born 8 May 1976) is a Welsh singer and actor. He is known by his stage name H. He is a member of the popular British pop group Steps.
In 2020, he took part in the TV show Dancing on Ice. He was the first person on the show to compete with a same-sex partner.
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Career Highlights
Joining Steps
Before joining Steps, Ian Watkins worked as a Bluecoat at Pontins. He also worked as a Redcoat at Butlin's.
In May 1997, Watkins became a member of the pop group Steps. Steps had many hit songs between 1997 and 2001. They had two number-one songs in the UK. They also had two number-one albums. The group sold over 20 million records worldwide. They were even nominated for a BRIT Award in 1999.
Steps Reunions
Steps got back together in May 2011 for a TV show. It was a four-part documentary series called Steps: Reunion. The show was on Sky Living. They also released a new album of their greatest hits. This album, The Ultimate Collection, went to number one.
A second series, "Steps: On the Road Again", aired in April 2012. It showed the band on their sold-out UK tour. In September 2012, Steps announced their fourth studio album. It was called Light Up The World. They also had a Christmas tour.
The group reunited again on 1 January 2017. This was to celebrate their 20th anniversary. They released their fifth album, Tears on the Dancefloor, in April 2017. It reached number 2 on the charts. They also announced a new tour called "Party on the Dancefloor".
In November 2017, Faye Tozer said that Steps would keep making music. They would continue after their 2018 tour. In 2019, Claire Richards announced they would record their next album.
On 7 September 2020, Steps announced their album What the Future Holds. It was released in November 2020. They also confirmed a new UK tour for 2021. The first song from the album was "What the Future Holds". It was written by Greg Kurstin and Sia. Other songs included "Something in Your Eyes" and "To the Beat of My Heart".
The song "Heartbreak in This City" was re-released. It featured Michelle Visage.
H and Claire
After Steps broke up in 2001, Ian Watkins formed a duo. He teamed up with Claire Richards, another former Steps member. Their duo was called H & Claire. They released three songs and one album together.
Musical Theatre Roles
After H & Claire, Ian Watkins studied musical theatre. He went to the Royal Academy of Music. During this time, he appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. A TV show called H-side Story followed his journey.
Watkins has performed in many pantomimes. He played Buttons in Cinderella in Preston. He also played Buttons again in Grimsby. In summer 2007, he was in the West End show Fame.
He played the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2008. He was also Silly Billy in Jack & The Beanstalk. In 2010, he played Muddles in Beauty and the Beast. In 2013, he returned to his role as Joseph. He played Prince Charming in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in 2014.
Television Appearances
In June 2006, Ian Watkins was in the BBC Radio Drama Silver Street. He played a former soldier named Dave. In November 2006, he was on the BBC Children in Need show Celebrity Scissorhands.
Watkins was a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007. He finished in fourth place. In April 2007, he was the hidden celebrity in the CBBC show Hider in the House.
In March 2008, Watkins presented a documentary. It was about growing up in Wales. In December 2008, he was on Bargain Hunt Famous Finds. He teamed up with Connie Fisher.
Watkins appeared in an episode of Skins. He was also on the show Party Wars in 2010. In February 2013, he was a contestant on The Chase. In 2014, he learned Welsh for the S4C series Cariad@Iaith.
In 2019, he played a version of himself in the comedy Dial M for Middlesbrough.
In 2020, Watkins competed on Dancing on Ice. He made history as the first celebrity to skate with a same-sex partner, Matt Evers.
In 2024, comedian Joe Lycett created a funny fake news story about Watkins. It said a large statue of him would be built in Cowbridge. This was for Lycett's TV show Late Night Lycett.
Local Politics
In May 2023, Ian Watkins was elected as a town councillor. He represents Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council. He serves as an Independent councillor.
Personal Life
Ian Watkins was born in Llwynypia, Wales, on 8 May 1976. He studied Fine Art & Design at Pontypridd College.
Ian Watkins has two twin sons. They were born in 2016. Since 2020, he has been in a relationship with Tom Hope. In 2017, he was named on the Wales Online Pinc List. This list celebrates leading Welsh LGBT figures. In December 2024, Watkins and Hope were on the BBC show Celebrity Escape to the Country.
Discography
