Torchwood fans mark the end of Ianto Jones shrine in Cardiff Bay – but a twist for the future is teased

Torchwood fans have mourned the removal of a shrine for much-loved character Ianto Jones, while also hinting at a twist for the future.

The shrine was built by fans of the Doctor Who spin-off show to commemorate Ianto – who became one of sci-fi TV’s most popular LGBTQ+ characters following his romance with Jack Harkness – after he was killed-off in 2009.

But last month, it was revealed that the tribute – located in Cardiff Bay (the location of Torchwood HQ) – was being taken down due to health and safety.

In a joint Instagram post on Monday (20 April), actor Gareth David-Lloyd, who played Jones in the series, and local artist Nathan Wyburn and his long-time collaborator Wayne Courtney, wrote: “And with that… IANTO’S SHRINE comes to an end… or does it? Follow @nathanwyburnart for the NEXT STEP! 👀 @gdavidlloyd @mermaidquay @mattbotten."

The post was accompanied by photos of fans standing in front of the shrine.

Torchwood, which followed Captain Jack Harkness and a team of alien-hunters protecting the world, aired between 2006 and 2001 and amassed a cult following among sci-fans.

Ianto was introduced in the very first episode of the show, and went from having a minor role in the series to becoming Captain Jack’s love interest, before he was tragically killed off in Children of Earth.

Fans were quick to praise the pair as a refreshing example of positive LGBTQ+ relationships.

Speaking about the impact his storyline has had on fans, David-Lloyd recently told Radio Times: "I've had a few experiences where fans have come up, and they've been quite emotional."

He added: "And they've said that Jack and Ianto's relationship helped them accept who they were, and come out to their parents or feel that they're given the power to own themselves. I think maybe that has a lot to do with [why Ianto is still so loved], with that sort of relationship being so forefront in a major primetime TV show.

Speaking about how the storyline was “quite a unique relationship to put at the forefront of a primetime show” at the time, he added: “And I think maybe that had something to do with it, and people felt connected to it on a deeply personal level, because it spoke to them personally.

"That's my main theory as to the longevity of the shrine and the attention and the love that Ianto still gets."

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