How Did You Get Hooked on Ioan?
Come on, everyone. Remind us all of how you first fell for Ioan. It will give those new to our Welshboy, an idea of what he's all about..... For me it was Hornblower - a sensitive, dashing principled hero, with the added benefits of georgeous curls and stirring music. 8)

Same here, StevieT. Hubby brought the entire boxed set of Hornblowers home for Christmas 2005. Would you believe the family and our guest started watching #1 while I was cooking Christmas Dinner?? After we ate, we all sat and watched 2 through 5 or 6. The next day we got up and finished them off. Can you believe that?? I said to my teenage kids --- Who is that I--one Gruf---fuddd?? Mom ---- that is Yo-wan Grif -fith!!!!! Of course, after I had watched each DVD 8 times (I did that from Christmas to Easter), they didn't want to see me moving toward the TV with a DVD much less talking about Hornblower or Ioan, for that matter. And a year and half later, here we are!!! Having "crossed over", I am looking forward to meeting up with old friends here!! Charlotte

For me, it was Man & Boy. I was in London when it was broadcast on UK TV (it was in 2002). I had already read the book and liked it and I was curious to see how they adapted it for TV. Then Hornblower (1, 2 and 3) was broadcast on Italian TV during Summer 2003 and I was hooked... :D I'm still wondering how it happened that I did not notice Ioan earlier in Titanic and 102 Dalmatians, that I saw when they came out. :?

I saw Ioan in 102 Dalmations but I was 11 at the time when it came out and wouldn't remeber much. I then became addicted to The forsyte Saga and thought he was a good actor but it was when I really saw Hornblower then I realised hey it's the guy from The Forsyte Saga and thought that he was rather good looking. I'm really glad my friend made me watch it :D

I first saw him in Titanic, but really didn't give him a seond thought until I was watching E! and they were talking to him about Amazing Grace. THen I saw Amazing Grace....and that sealed that deal!

Great reading about how everyone noticed Ioan again! :) For me, it happened at quite a fortunate time- when he was a in a few things on TV. I was watching Titanic on video and noticed him then....I must have been around 13. Being a fan of the Irish group Westlife I also noticed he was on their 'Uptown Girl' video, that made me very excited. :) Soon after noticing him he was on the Forsyte Saga and Man and Boy, then the last Hornblower episodes. I remember writing in to a magazine asking for more info on that lovely looking architect in the Forsyte Saga! In the end I rewound the credits on the Titanic video! When I got the internet a year or so later it was great as I got access to all the info I could have asked for on IoanOnline, and meet his great bunch of fans. :)

Hello everyone! Wow, this got set up fast. Ioan.........My daughter knew I loved period movies, so she asked me if I had seen the Hornblower movies. I hadn't, so she lent me her tape. I was hooked part way through the first movie! I watched them over and over again till I had to return her tape! Then I watched the third and fourth movies over and over. I was so glad when they came out as a set. I also went to the A&E boards at that time. It was so much fun discussing the movies, learning about ships and the history of that time. From that time on, I have so enjoyed watching Ioan's career, waiting to read about each new project. Even after all that has recently happened, I am still a fan and eager to see his movies. I think he is a fine actor and from what we have always read about him, a fine man that cares deeply for his family. Loretta

It was Man and Boy for me. Say what you like about it (and trust me, I've said it all :twisted: ), he couldn't be more gorgeous in that film. Then I did a little research and watched Hornblower and Warriors. And what do you know, the boyo can ACT :wink: , as well as work a uniform :lol: . And the rest is history.

Hmm... For me, it was *quite* a few movies that got my attention. I caught 102 Dalmatians and saw a very good looking gent in it with a playful grin :) and dark brown eyes, but didn't make the connection. Then saw King Arthur, same reaction a bit on the strong side, though he did make me sit up and take notice as a dark haired sultry-sulky mysterious Lancelot dressed in dark leather strode across my screen on horseback , but still not a klew as to who he was or what his name was until Fantastic Four when a stronger connection was made. That's when I got happily hooked and haven't looked back since. :D Yours, Gypsiebelle

I do NOT even know...I saw him in 102 Dalmatians when I was 8, then when I was 11 I saw Hornblower, I think that was what got me hooked. It wasn't until King Arthur was released that I got the courage to actually google him and find a site to visit. I didn't think anything would come up! *ducks*

Not that long since my previous introduction, but since you asked... :wink: I really noticed him for the first time in King Arthur. I had seen him in Titanic before that, but for some reason it wasn't before his Lancelot that I became wobbly-kneed. I mean, I love medieval stuff and King Arthur's legend is one of my favourites - and Lancelot has always been a favourite knight of the round table for me. And then - vavavoom! Who's that gorgeous dark, two sword wielding yummy of a man? I could not get my eyes off him. Yeah, after that I've been a lost case. :D

I first saw him in "King Arthur" and I was mesmerized. I loved the movie, and I loved his character and could not believe how handsome he was, and a great actor. I have only recently seen "Fantastic Four" for the first time, and I just bought the Hornblower DVDs because I've heard so much about them. I can't wait until I have some free time and can sit down and enjoy them. And I've seen "Amazing grace" 3 times so far, I loved his perfomance there. I'll definitely buy the DVD when it becomes available. It's such a wonderful and inspiring movie! Marina

Well... Through Hornblower. I was channel surfing at my parents and tuned to the swedish channel. I saw a glimpse of Robert Lindsay in a period costume, with a strange looking kid. I like Robert in My Family, so I started watching this show. I didn't know what it was about, but soon found myself glued to the screen. I didn't notice Ioan yet. All I can remember was action and ships and lt. Bush. Weird, to think of, I didn't even know who the main character was! (Later I learned that episode was "Mutiny" and the show Hornblower... so that strange curly haired kid was the hero) I only saw that one episode, but it haunted me. As I saw the DVD box I just have to bought it. And after watching the first episode the curly haired kid got me! I went to imdb to check on him and it was so weird to realize I've seen him before! I was totally hooked to the Forsyte saga and knew his character. And of course I've seen Titanic, and guess what, I remembered the guy with the accent! I hated the film, but those r's got my attention (I wondered where the accent came from, for it sounded bit scottish but not quite) So well it was Hornblower I really noticed him.

I heard about Hornblower several years ago, then Titanic (didn't know he was in it though), then King Arthur, and I saw the History Channel program he hosted on King Arthur, but the first film I saw with him in it was Amazing Grace. I was VERY impressed with his performance in AG, so I decided to find out more about him online (I already had interest in him before that). In doing so, I found several good fansites on IG, but I absolutely loved IOL...*sigh*. From there, I found Ioanzone. Oh, and I've seen various clips from Hornblower, Solomon and Gaenor, Very Annie Mary (so funny!), Warriors, Man and Boy, and Titanic. I think that sums it all up. :D ~Anilia~