Ioan!

I can't even begin to tell you how lovely he was, Phizz.  How fluffy his hair was.  How radiant his smile was.  How intense his eyes were (and he makes great eye contact).  None of the photos do these things true justice.  And his voice... don't even get me started on how it caresses the ears!  I bought two photo ops the first day so I could do one in the uniform and one in my civvies.  Then I found out he was doing table photos too, so I just couldn't resist:



I had him sign my shooting script from Retribution, which he loved seeing.  I also asked him something I'd always wondered about in regards to The Duchess and the Devil.  I had always wondered why Horatio didn't tell Archie that Simpson was dead when he finds Archie in the Spanish prison.  Since Archie was suffering from fits at the mere sight of Horatio and didn't want to go back to the Indy, I would have thought telling him Simpson was gone would have offered some measure of comfort and perhaps would have caused him to strive to get well again sooner.  Perhaps there had been a deleted scene or a discussion of Horatio having that conversation with Archie that was ultimately decided against including... so I asked.  Ioan's first reaction was "oh, that wasn't in the movie, huh?"  He honestly couldn't remember if they had filmed a scene like that or not, of if his telling Archie was just implied.  He went on to say that perhaps he didn't tell him because Horatio was slightly embarrassed about how it happened - that he had almost died himself in the process, and that he hadn't been the one to end his life - that Pellew had done it.  Then he got this mischievous look on his face, grinned at me and added "or maybe I was just f**king with him!"  I roared with laughter and he joined me!!

The Hornblower panel with David Warner was fantastic and I am happy to report very well attended.  They were both gratified to know that the series is still loved by so many and that those people are still so enthusiastic about the episodes and would watch new ones.  I asked a question during the panel, enquiring since most DVDs come with episode commentaries as part of the "extras", whether he and any of the rest of the cast might consider recording one (or several) such commentaries as podcasts to give the enduring fans some insights into behind the scenes of filming, anecdotes, etc.  Ioan seemed very enthusiastic to do this and said he would certainly look into it, despite the logistical difficulties of getting some of the cast together.  I dearly hope this happens.  I guess... watch this space!

In addition to the Hornblower panel, there was also a Fantastic Four panel which I, of course attended.

All my photos (including many of Ioan), can be found here for anyone that wants to check them out.

LOL!  Gold!  Pure, absolute GOLD!

I'm stoked to simply know that there *was* a Hornblower panel--and moreso to be given some teensy-tiny shred of hope that the idea of offering us more has been planted.  You rock, CS!

Oh yes, please! They're gorgeous! Can't say which ones I like best, each and every pic has its own special 'something' to it, and we're definiely in the need of some proper gushing and drooling material of our dear Horatio! <insert various drooling, swooning, fainting and what-not-smilies in here>

Thanks also to Michelle and msadot for the detailed Ioan-encounter and the vid. Both are very awesome as well! You're all so very generous in sharing!

Even after all these years, Horatio (played by Ioan) still has my interest.  I had a beautiful wallpaper of Horatio (designed by Crazed Ferret) on my work computer.  When I got a new laptop, I made sure I downloaded the wallpaper, so that I could have it even after retiring from work.

~Phizz

I have copies of a lot of the wallpapers she made, not only of Horatio but some of the other characters. I wonder if I should upload them and post the links here in the forum.

Many thanks for the information, Annee!
As far as I know American teenagers love this show - it is supposed to be quite popular!
So it's a great opportunity for Ioan to appear there - maybe he will also sing?
Would be nice! Very nice,....