H from Steps reveals big change he's made to life for sake of his two young sons
Ian 'H' Watkins, better known as 'H' from Steps, opened up about why his family life is so important in a new interview
Despite being a fixture in the pop world for nearly 30 years, Ian 'H' Watkins, better known as 'H' from Steps, isn't just about the glitz and glamour of showbiz - it's clear that his heart belongs to his family, especially his children.
As a member of the iconic group Steps since 1997, H has enjoyed global success with over 15 million albums sold, countless sold-out tours, and a permanent spot on every party playlist. Yet, he finds true joy in the comforts of home life.
In a new interview, he delves into his experiences with fatherhood, the daunting prospect of a Steps musical, and his plans for the band's upcoming 30th anniversary.
"I say no to a lot of things now, just because I want to be home with my boys," H shares candidly. "That's what matters most to me."
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His twin sons, eight year old Macsen and Cybi, are the light of his life. His current television endeavour one of the select few he's chosen to pursue is essentially a heartfelt tribute to them, reports OK!.
In the Welsh programme, Canu Gyda Fy Arwr, viewers see H embarking on a journey to improve his Welsh singing skills. Despite his Welsh roots, he isn't fluent in the language, a skill his bilingual sons have mastered.
"The reason I want to advance my Welsh is because my kids speak Welsh, and I need to know what they're talking about behind my back," he quips. "And it's enabled me to understand conversations and actually tell them off in Welsh, because I know exactly what they're talking about now."
H, who's not just tackling the language barrier but also the universal challenges of parenthood, opened up about the chaotic yet rewarding experience of raising eight year old twins. "Oh, my gosh, being a dad to eight year-old twins is crazy, it's beautiful, it's mental, it's exhausting, it's exhilarating, it's all those things," he shared.
He credits his partner, Tom, and their support network for keeping life balanced. "I have an amazing partner who really helps. So it's all about juggling balls, spinning plates. And I do allow friends and family to help me."
The couple has established a solid routine with their boys, which gives H the freedom to indulge in his artistic pursuits. "I paint, so I have lots of exhibitions on," he says.
"I'm an artist, and doing that on my time enables me to do the school run, the swimming lessons and the kickboxing classes. I love it. For the last five years, I have not stopped. So it's time for me to say 'no' to a lot of things. There's power in saying no and that's important when you have a family."
Despite the busy family life, H hasn't turned down the opportunity to be involved in the new Steps musical, Here And Now. The band, including H, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer, and Lee Latchford-Evans, are excited about the project following their successful 25th-anniversary comeback tour in 2022.
H admits that taking on a producer role is quite the challenge. "We're all producing it. We are very much involved in every part of the process," he shares.
"We approve the actors, the plot, the budget. We're not writing the script but we approve the script. We are very much involved in everything, which is a little bit scary, but it's very exciting as well."
As for what's next for the band and their fans, H hints at future plans with a twinkle in his eye: "Oh, my gosh. Well, if we do anything, the next landmark will be our 30th anniversary, which is crazy," he says.
He reflects on the balance between fame and family life: "The last tour we did was for our 25th anniversary. But we're all very, very busy people. We've got lots of other things going on. So, you know, it's lovely that we can do our thing, come together, spread the love, and then go back to our lives. But primarily, I'm a dad. A busy dad, and my kids are eight now, so I need to focus on that. They're my priority."
H also explains why he joined S4C's Canu Gyda Fy Arwr, now available on iPlayer : "It's been on the bucket list for me, just to advance my Welsh," he reveals. "It's something that I always wanted, and I've tried many times over the years to do, with Welsh classes. I'm a very proud Welsh man. I'm proactive in the Welsh community. My children are Welsh speakers. And I really wanted to prove that doing this meant a lot to me."
One of the most poignant moments in the show was when H performed a duet with a longtime Steps fan, whose father had recently passed away. They sang a hymn that held deep meaning for both of them.
"It was incredibly emotional," he reflects now, "It was such a special night."
His mother, Gaynor Watkins, a line dancing instructor, was also present to witness this touching moment. H has fond memories of her interactions with Steps.
"Our first hit was 5, 6, 7, 8 . It was designed to make line dancing cool," he shares.
"But we decided not to go in that direction and my mother was gutted... she's an avid line dancer. She was so thrilled because I would always give her the songs before anybody else, and I would tell her the dance routines. Exclusive to Mam. And she would teach the class and everyone would know before it went on Top Of The Pops . She thought she was the bee's knees!"
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