BREAKING NEWS
H from Steps said on Instagram he was “greatly surprised” by the idea of a statue of him
By James McCarthy & Matthew Murray
BBC News
He’s the Steps star who’s equipped hundreds of thousands of data – but may probably Ian H Watkins really be getting a 5, 6, 7, 8ft statue in his honour in a genteel Welsh town?
His H nickname stands for hyperactive, but some in Cowbridge are asking if the relevant H is at the start of hoax.
The fable went viral after first appearing in local media on Wednesday – two days after April Fool’s Day.
And it may or may not be a tragedy, but the local council said it has had no applications for an 8ft H statue.
The community in the back of the proposals is said to poke by the name Cultural Cowbridge – although BBC Wales inquiries failed to search out anyone who had heard of it.
According to these experiences, the statue would poke up outdoor The Bear Hotel in the centre of the Vale of Glamorgan town.
Nonetheless The Bear proprietor Julian Hitchcock said he had no inkling, and it “ruined my cereal” when he heard his resort talked about when the fable was discussed on BBC Radio 2.
The singer has been with Steps for the reason that five-part released their debut single 5, 6, 7, 8 in 1997, and went on to years of chart success with hits adore Tragedy. These days he is also a probably not going member of Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council, and to relate it, his report is on the council’s internet location alongside the varied members.
In a publish on Instagram the 47-year-customary – who is originally from the Rhondda Cynon Taf village of Cwmparc – said he was “absolutely greatly surprised” by the statue idea.
He said: “Large pleased with this! It’s going to be a miniature strange seeing myself across the avenue when I pop into town!
“If miniature Ian, from the Rhondda may probably see this, he may probably be blown away! Thanks to all people to your amazing messages!”
Image source, Instgram/Ian H Watkins
He posted on Instagram about the statue
Fellow singers had been posthaste to congratulate him, with singers Sophie Ellis Bextor writing: “Amazing! Congratulations”, Debbie Gibson posting: “I am coming to take a report in conjunction with your statue someday. Nonetheless not before I meet the real you! Congrats!”, and Myleene Klass adding: “Right here’s amazing!”
Nonetheless Mr Hitchcock admitted he may probably be shy if the statue did appear in “sleepy customary Cowbridge” – a market town as soon as described by The Sunday Occasions as the appropriate place to live in Wales.
“Nonetheless the pavement outdoor the resort is nothing to attain with me,” said Mr Hitchcock. “So, if the council see match to mediate H worthy of a statue then so be it. H has done a whole lot lawful issues for Cowbridge.
“As have a whole lot varied of us.”
Image source, Google Road Stare
The statue is supposedly going to appear outdoor The Bear Hotel on High Road
Cowbridge singer and actor Aubrey Parsons believed it was “a wind-up”.
“I obtain not judge anyone has ever heard of the community Cultural Cowbridge,” he said.
There have been, he plan, others “extra deserving of a statue”, even although he said H had done a lot for the city, including founding the city’s Pleasure tournament in 2022.
Nonetheless he did not imagine it: “It can’t be legal, or not it is up there with the spaghetti bushes and the Cottingley fairies.”
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Eliza Hogg, social media manager for Cowbridge’s Jon Ian boutique, said it was the “talk of the city”.
“I obtain not know if or not it is a hoax, I believed or not it is end to April Fool’s so maybe or not it is that,” she said.
Mae Ballantyne, a resident for 49 years, had by no means heard of Cultural Cowbridge.
“I am hoping or not it is a hoax as there are extra deserving of us,” she said. “Because in any other case you may have a crowd of customary ladies knocking down statues and tearing up chairs.”
Image source, FAMILY PHOTO
Bear Hotel proprietor Julian Hitchcock says the information “ruined my cereal”
Duke of Wellington pub assistant manager Andy Ingram said: “H is a great personality, he’s always chirpy and always got time for a chat when he is available in the pub.
“Nonetheless I obtain not judge the statue ought to be outdoor The Bear. It desires to be near the city hall. Maybe on the Pleasure bench and of us may probably have a report on there with the statue.”
Lynne Chamberlain, who lives opposite The Bear, would oppose any statue plans. She called it “a wearisome idea” and believed an H statue should always poke in other places: “Then I would not have to watch at it every morning”.
Suzanne Cumpston, of Cowbridge’s Sam Smith Travel, said: “Can’t befriend pondering this is an out-of-date April fool.”
The city council posted on Instagram: “Cowbridge Town Council are aware of a fable in the press regarding a statue outdoor of The Bear Hotel.
“The council has not obtained notification of any planning applications for the statue.”
Image source, COWBRIDGE COUNCIL
H has been an unbiased member of Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council since 2023
The council’s deputy town clerk, Clair Davis, believed it was an “April fool’s prank printed too late”.
It was, she added, “absolutely nothing to attain with us”.
“I’ve spoken to a lady from Vale of Glamorgan council and she has obtained a complaint about it because of a statue being placed in the heart of Cowbridge,” Ms Davis said.
Neither was Ms Davis aware of Cultural Cowbridge.
“We have Googled them and cannot approach up with anything,” she said.
A Vale of Glamorgan council spokesman said: “I judge it was an April fool.”
H has been approached for comment, and no contact details shall be came upon for Cultural Cowbridge to ask for one.