Shrine to Doctor Who spinoff character to be taken down after 17 years

A shrine for a much-loved character from Doctor Who spin-off show Torchwood is set to be taken down after more than a decade.

The tribute was built by fans of the series to commemorate queer character Ianto Jones 17 years ago, near where the series was filmed in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff.

However, self-proclaimed shrine-keeper Carol-Anne Hillman said she was "devastated" to learn that the shrine would be taken down due to health and safety.

A spokesperson for Mermaid Quay confirmed it was exploring the possibility of a new plaque for Ianto once maintenance work had been completed.

After Ianto was killed-off the popular BBC series in 2009, fans were quick to leave tributes in what is now known as Ianto's Shrine in Mermaid Quay.

Carol-Anne Hillman has been looking after the shrine since 2017 and is "devastated" that the tribute will be taken down.

She said: "It became part of my life in Cardiff.

"I've got a back bedroom that's got about 11 or 12 bags of decorations now that I can't use.

"I've spent hundreds buying all these decorations.

"There's loads of people now that won't get even the first look at the shrine."

More than 860 miles (1,384 km) from the shrine in Cardiff Bay, Claudia from Germany was sad to learn that the attraction would be taken down.

"I love Doctor Who, but Torchwood was something else. It was quirky, it was campy, it was just a lot of fun," she said.

"[But] let's face it, the area is dodgy.

"The metal is rusted, the wood is decaying, it's in desperate need of some refurbishing and renovation."

Having last visited the shrine in 2018, Claudia plans to spend her 60th birthday in the city this year but will not get the chance to see the shrine again before it is taken down.

Torchwood followed Captain Jack and his team of alien hunters and grew a cult following amongst sci-fi fans since it first aired in 2006.

Starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles, the show has been praised for its queer representation, with pansexual character Jack, played by Barrowman, shown in a relationship with Ianto on primetime national television.

Thousands of people from across the world have since visited, but there are some fans who still haven't had the chance.

After hearing that the shrine would be taken down, Erin Curran from Northern Ireland has booked an "impromptu" trip before it's gone.

"It's a landmark, a tourist spot, an example of the power of fandom and passion in numbers.

"To destroy all of that would be a crime.

"Many of us don't see why the shrine can't be returned once that [maintenance] job has been completed."

Gareth David Lloyd, who played Ianto in the popular series, did not realise that his character would have such an impact on fans.

He previously told BBC Wales: "When we finished filming and I started to realise the cultural impact Ianto and his relationship with Jack was having, it was a big surprise, a very moving surprise.

"I certainly wasn't expecting a shrine to be erected, and maintained for 20 years after.

"On one hand, it's a bit bonkers, but on the other it's a monument to the impact Ianto, and his relationship with Jack, had on the queer community, and one that I'm really proud of."

A spokesperson for Mermaid Quay said: "We can confirm that Ianto's Shrine at Mermaid Quay will be taken down whilst we carry out maintenance work.

"This work is required to ensure the lower boardwalk continues to provide a wonderful experience for all our visitors.

"We hope to work with the local community to explore a new plaque for Ianto once the maintenance works have completed."

Hillman said she has agreed to help the management design a new plaque.