Social media users were in shock Tuesday after realizing they were “blocked” by Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins.
The legendary pop star, 46, used a tool to clean up her social media account which inadvertently left thousands of followers unable to see his tweets.
While some fans were horrified to think they had been “blocked” by the Tragedy singer, others felt left out after #BlockedByHFromSteps started trending.
‘BLOCKED’: Social media users were in shock on Tuesday after realizing they had been ‘blocked’ by Steps singer Ian ‘H’ Watkins
Ian later took to Twitter to apologize for the mistake, writing to one follower: “Hello James manually! Merry Christmas.’
After the uproar, he then cheekily shared a tweet from Oprah Winfrey, declaring, “You’re getting a ban! You get a ban! Everyone gets a block!’.
After noticing they’d been “blocked,” one fan wrote, “I loved Steps I didn’t even know he was on Twitter!”.
Tragedy! The iconic pop star, 46, used a tool to clean up his social media account, which inadvertently left thousands of followers unable to see his tweets
While another said: “Who am I? I’m nobody, apparently I’m a nobody worth blocking according to H.
While more commented, “His loss, not mine!” and ‘After being #BlockedbyHFromSteps I had a childish moment and blocked it back.’
Another shared a screenshot of herself “blocked” and wrote: “And I…”
Unhappy: While some fans were horrified to think they had been ‘blocked’ by the Tragedy singer, others felt left out after #BlockedByHFromSteps started trending
Cheeky: After the uproar, he then cheekily shared a tweet from Oprah Winfrey, declaring: “You’re going to get a ban! You get a ban! Everyone gets a block!’
A sixth said: “Huh I wasn’t even aware of this person but I’m #BlockedByHfromSteps.”
And a seventh commented: “I’m not familiar with this band but anyway I was #BlockedByHfromSteps which one is H?”
While others seemed less impressed at not having been “blocked” by the naughty pop star.
Gutted: After realizing they were “blocked,” one fan wrote, “I loved Steps, I didn’t even know he was on Twitter!”
One said: “Disappointed I’m not #BlockedByHfromSteps lol what did I do wrong?”
And another wrote: “What do I have to say or do to be #BlockedByHfromSteps.”
While a third agreed: “I think I’m the only person who isn’t #BlockedByHfromSteps.”
Disappointed: While others seemed less impressed at not having been ‘blocked’ by the naughty pop star
Tweet cleaners allow users to quickly search tweets by keyword or date to delete unwanted posts.
In October, Ian shut down a troll who called him a “coward” for not having a male love interest in the 2001 video for It’s The Way You Make Me Feel.
The star shared with her followers that the original idea for the music video for It’s The Way You Make Me Feel came from the 1988 movie Dangerous Liaisons.
Seen for the music video ‘H’ singing and dancing with a female love in period costume, he said: ‘If I could change that… I absolutely would have a male love!’
Hitting: In October, Ian shut down a troll who called him a ‘coward’ for not having a male love interest in the 2001 video for It’s The Way You Make Me Feel (pictured).
Ian came out to fans six years after the video was released.
This prompted one user to remark, “You could have had a male love interest. You have decided against it. Don’t play after the fact if it was cowardice.’
Ian hit back at the internet troll, saying: “COWARD?? I mentioned that if I could change one thing about our videos it would be to have a male love interest! I’m not a coward.
“I was still grappling with my sexuality. It was also a very different time to be openly gay.
“I am now loud and proud of my life, my work and my activism. Times have changed, but we still have a long way to go (even within the LGBTQI community – as this shows!).
“It is because of the incredible enablers in our community that this generation CAN be their authentic selves.
“Coming out is personal. It’s not up to anyone to decide when you do it. Hopefully one day we won’t have to “come out”! So, before you type, think… and be thankful that you can live your best life! #lgbt #lgbtq #comingout.’
He said: Ian hit back at the internet troll saying: “COWARD?? I mentioned that if I could change one thing about our videos it would be to have a male love interest! I’m not a coward