H is for Happy
Who is Ian ‘H’ Watkins? Dancing on Ice 2020 star and Steps frontman
IAN "H" Watkins became a household name in the 90s when he became part of pop band Steps.
Now, he's going to be the talk of the town once again as he puts on his skates and takes to the rink for Dancing on Ice 2020. Here's all you need to know about the popstar...
When will Ian ‘H’ Watkins be on Dancing on Ice?
Ian will be performing live on the show for the first time tonight on ITV at 6pm.
The series will air on the channel at the same time every Sunday until the grand finale.
The first elimination is expect to take place in week two on Sunday January 12.
What has Ian 'H' Watkins said about Dancing on Ice?
On September 26, 2019, Ian 'H' Watkins revealed he was so desperate to do Dancing on Ice he auditioned THREE times.
Speaking to GMB hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard, H joked he revealed it was a case of third times a charm for getting on the show.
He said: "I've actually auditioned twice before, so third time lucky."
The singer also revealed how he had been watching videos of former contestants in the hope he won't be a Tragedy on the dance floor.
He said: "I have frantically been You Tubing James Jordan and Ray Quinn.
"If I end up somewhere between James Jordan and Joe Pasquale I'll be happy."
The hosts asked why H had repeatedly pursued the show and why he wanted to put himself such a gruelling, dangerous process.
He said: "The game has changed now because I have kids, it's a skill I can learn and then take my kids skating."
But the star was under no illusions about what he would be up against, admitting: "It's brutal I know.
"I have insurance. I know that I'm going to be put through my paces and that's the name of the game.
"I'm up for a challenge."
H will be competing in the ITV reality show alongside 11 other celebrities - Michael Barrymore, Maura Higgins, Kevin Kilbane, Lucrezia Millarini, Caprice, Lisa George, Perri Kiely, Libby Clegg MBE, Joe Swash, Ben Hanlin and Trisha Goddard.
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How did Ian ‘H’ Watkins become famous?
Ian ‘H’ Watkins was born May 8, 1976 and raised in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales
He is a Welsh singer, dancer and stage actor, known for being in Steps.
Ian says that the nickname "H" stands for "hyperactive", describing his character.
After leaving Art college, Ian's big break came when he answered an ad for a pop band – that turned out to be Steps.
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When did Ian 'H' Watkins join Steps? And are Steps still together?
Ian became part of the band Steps in 1997.
Steps are a British dance-pop group consisting of Lee, Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Lisa Scott-Lee and Lee Latchford-Evans.
They were formed in May 1997 and released four albums and seventeen singles.
Steps had many hits between 1997 and 2001 including two number-one singles, two number-one albums, 14 consecutive top 5 singles and a string of hits throughout Europe.
The group has sold over 20 million records worldwide.
Fans hearts were left broken when they broke up on Boxing Day in 2001, after Lee and H left the band.
Steps got back together in May 2011 for a four-part documentary series on Sky Living titled Steps: Reunion.
The series started airing on 28 September, following an announcement of a second Greatest Hits album, The Ultimate Collection, that was released on 10 October 2011.
The album entered the charts at number 1, becoming the band’s third UK number 1 album.
And the band have been together ever since reuniting in 2011.
Series 2 of Steps Reunion titled “Steps: On the Road Again” aired on Sky Living in April 2012 and the series followed the band as they embarked on their sellout 22-date UK tour.
On 24 September 2012, the group confirmed they would release their fourth studio album Light Up The World on 12 November 2012, alongside a six-date Christmas tour.
Steps hit the road for a nationwide arena tour from May-July 2018 where they were supported by another legendary pop act, Blue.
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What else has Ian ‘H’ Watkins besides Steps?
After Steps split on Boxing Day 2001 Ian formed a duo, H & Claire, with fellow ex-Steps member Claire Richards.
They released three singles and an album.
He has also appeared in pantomimes across the UK.
He also starred in West End show Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat
Ian also did well when he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, and came fourth on the show.
He has also appeared on shows like The Chase.
And now he'll be showing off his moves in the upcoming Dancing on Ice 2020.
DANCING ON ICE LATEST
Is Ian ‘H’ Watkins married? Does he have children?
On 3 January 2007, Ian came out publicly as gay in an interview with The Sun.
During his early years with Steps, Ian was involved in a relationship with the group's manager, Tim Byrne.
Ian has been in a relationship with Craig Ryder since 2007.
On March 6 2016, they welcomed twin sons, Macsen and Cybi Ryder-Watkins, via a surrogate.
Emotional moment Steps bring their kids on stage for 20th anniversary performance
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