Torchwood fans mourn the loss of beloved Ianto Jones memorial in Cardiff as management issues update

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After 17 years as a popular landmark, the Ianto Shrine in Cardiff Bay will be removed, much to the sadness of Torchwood fans.

If you don’t recognize those references, let’s rewind to 2009. That’s when the popular Doctor Who series, Torchwood, aired its chilling third season, called Children of Earth. Things seemed fine at the time – or so it appeared.

After two seasons of building a beloved romance between Captain Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones, the show unexpectedly killed off Ianto, much to the dismay of fans.

Fans were deeply saddened by his passing and created a memorial at Cardiff Bay, the site of the fictional Torchwood headquarters. They left flowers and messages to honor his memory.

Many fans fondly remembered the character as a groundbreaking and welcome portrayal of LGBTQ+ identity, especially since such representation was rare on television at the time.

Carole Anne-Hillman, who cares for the memorial to Ianto Jones, recently announced it will be removed at the end of April. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she expressed her sadness, saying she’s trying to salvage smaller items like mugs, and that she is “devastated” by the news.

She explained the decision to remove it was due to deterioration, including rotting wood, rusting metal, and safety concerns.

I just got word from Mermaid Quay, and it seems the Ianto shrine is coming down – temporarily, at least. A spokesperson told me they need to remove it while they do some much-needed maintenance work on the area. It’s a bit sad for fans, of course, but they assure me it’s not a permanent removal.

We’re doing some necessary work on the lower boardwalk to keep it enjoyable for everyone who visits. Once the repairs are finished, we plan to collaborate with the community on designing a new plaque honoring Ianto.

Fans were deeply upset to learn about the potential removal of Ianto’s Shrine, a well-loved landmark in Cardiff Bay. One fan expressed their disappointment on X, stating that destroying it feels wrong and that repairing the shrine would be a better solution. They were saddened by the idea of it being taken down.

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Someone else commented that it was very sad to see the shrine damaged. They explained that Ianto’s Shrine, though small, is an important landmark in Cardiff Bay, and it’s disappointing that it couldn’t be saved or relocated to continue celebrating the Doctor Who and Torchwood connection to the city.

I was really thrilled to visit Ianto’s shrine back in 2016 when I also went to The Doctor Who Experience. It’s so sad to hear they’re taking it down at the end of April, but honestly, it’s amazing it’s lasted this long – it just shows how much people loved Ianto and how popular Torchwood was. Rest in peace, Ianto’s shrine!

An online petition has been launched to save the shrine.

Gareth David-Lloyd, the actor who played Ianto, previously shared with TopMob that he often brought friends to see the fan-built shrine dedicated to the show. He also said he always figured it wouldn’t stay up forever.

He mentioned he’ll always have something to do because he often has friends visiting from abroad or coming to Cardiff.

I adore watching them visit the shrine – it’s become a tradition for them to get their photo taken there. I’ve gone along a few times myself, though it’s been a couple of months since my last visit. I was there for their 10-year anniversary celebration, and I know the caretaker, Carol-Anne Hillman, always goes all out with the decorations. It’s such a lovely place!

It’s surprising to me that it’s still up, and I’m expecting Mermaid Quay to eventually decide it’s time to take it down. It’s a strange feeling, but I’m also really pleased.

As for why the character meant so much to so many?

He added: “I’ve had a few experiences where fans have come up, and they’ve been quite emotional.

It really means a lot to me that Jack and Ianto’s relationship helped people feel comfortable enough to come out to their families, or just to accept themselves. I think that’s a huge part of why Ianto still resonates with so many of us – seeing a relationship like theirs, so openly portrayed on TV, was incredibly powerful.

TopMob has contacted Mermaid Quay management for further comment.

Torchwood is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, writing about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-03-04 16:05