A website has apologised to a singer after using his photograph to illustrate the story of a convicted paedophile with the same name.
E! Online was reporting on the conviction of Lostprophets lead singer Ian Watkins who pleaded guilty to child sex offences at Cardiff Crown Court.
However, the website illustrated the story with Ian Watkins, known widely as H from Steps.
The mistake was spotted almost immediately by people on social media forums. Despite this, the Steps singer received savage online abuse and several threats.
The erroneous article including a picture of the WRONG Ian Watkins is embedded the Twitter message below:
Time for H from Steps to legally change his name to H from Steps. pic.twitter.com/QJODGSx9xA
— Natasha (@natasharadical) November 27, 2013
E! Online issued a statement after realising the error: “E! Online deeply regrets originally publishing an image of Ian 'H' Watkins of the band Steps, rather than Ian Watkins of Lostprophets, and the error was corrected immediately.
"We are investigating the matter and will take appropriate action. Additionally, E! Online has reached out to Ian 'H' Watkins, via his management, to apologise directly."
Poor H from Steps pic.twitter.com/l9f1zo2jXH
— BuzzFeed UK (@BuzzFeedUK) November 27, 2013
In a message on his website earlier yesterday, H said: "Thank you to everyone who has supported me today! My management took swift action to remove my image which was posted due to shoddy journalism."
H's official Facebook page also referred to abuse directed at the Steps star after Tuesday's court case.
Explaining the situation, the message read: "Just to clear out some of the abuse there has been the past few hours… This is the 'Official Ian H Watkins' website. Better known as H from Steps.
"H is in NO WAY related with the news about the singer from Lostprophets! Please don't post any comments about the news here because they will be deleted. Thank you!"
Lostprophets singer Watkins (pictured above: Credit South Wales Police), 36, from Pontypridd, South Wales, pleaded guilty to a string of sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.
The charges included sexually touching a one-year-old and encouraging a crazed groupie to abuse her own child during a sordid webcam chat.
Watkins also admitted possessing and making child porn as well as launching the plot to rape a baby.
He will be sentenced on 18 December.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
