Ian Watkins (born May 8, 1976, in Llwynypia, Rhondda, Wales), better known as H from Steps, is a British Pop singer, one of the five members of the now defunct pop group Steps. He has said that “H” stands for “hyperactive”, describing his character. Before joining Steps, he worked as a redcoat for Butlins holiday parks.

As a result of his hyperactive, camp persona and seemingly limited contribution to the success of Steps, he was voted number 8 in a 2003 poll of the 100 Worst Britons.

After Steps split in 2001, he formed a duo with fellow ex-Steps member Claire Richards and became H & Claire. They released a few singles and then went their separate ways. He then decided to take a musical theatre course at the Royal Academy of Music. He was filmed through the course and it was broadcast as a reality TV series, H-side Story, which followed him as he tries to make a new career in acting. At the end of the course H passed his exam and graduated from the academy. After graduating from the academy H traveled to New York to continue refining his acting skills. Following his extra tuition in New York, H has successfully obtained a job on the West End, and will be touring the country starring in the production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in autumn 2006. In November 2006, Watkins featured on the Children In Need BBC, ‘Celebrity Scissorhands’ show, where Michelle cut his hair. Currently he is performing at Preston’s Charter theatre in the pantomime Cinderella, he is playing the character of Buttons.

In early 2007, Ian Watkins came out as gay. The former Steps singer revealed his sexuality to The Sun as he prepared to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house on 3 January 2007 with 11 other celebs. Ian hid the fact he was gay from fans — even while having a ten-year affair with Steps’ male manager, saying: “I come from a small valley in Wales and it just wasn’t the thing to do to be gay. It’s a bit of a cliché — but I was the only gay in the village.”

Courtesy Of Wikipedia