Welsh singer and actor, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, former star of million-record selling pop sensation Steps, has agreed to become one of the new patrons of Pride Cymru – the charity organisation behind Wales’ largest celebration of equality and diversity
Ian ‘H’ Watkins commented:
“This event is very close to heart and I am thrilled to be asked to be a patron. Pride Cymru does amazing work tackling homophobia and hate crime.”
In a personal account filmed for BBC Wales’ Week In Week Out, Ian described growing up gay in the Rhondda ‘a nightmare’, and came out while entering Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, with stars such as Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty.
Last year saw Ian return to the role of Joseph in the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Most recently seen starring in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Lyceum, Sheffield and was the subject of ITV Cymru Wales’ Time of Your Life last month.
Pride Cymru Trustee member, Lisa Power said:
“Pride Cymru is delighted to welcome Ian ‘H’ Watkins as a new patron. Ian understands what it’s like to be a young LGBT person growing up in Wales. His successful entertainment career shows that you can realise your dreams, whoever you are and wherever you start from. He and Steps have done a lot to support LGBT causes over the years and he’s a great role model. We hope to welcome him to the Parade and Event this year.”
