Gareth David-Lloyd has a special place in the hearts of many Torchwood fans. In the role of Ianto Jones, we saw the character evolve – first from a lowly administrator to a full team member and the lover of main character Jack Harkness. A great many fans were upset when he was killed off in season 3 ("Children of Earth"). Gareth, along with series co-stars Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper) and John Barrowman (Harkness) will be in town April 26-28 as guests of the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo.

Considering Torchwood was a spin-off of Doctor Who, when it first started out in 2006, there might have been a bit of pressure on creating something that could live up to the iconic status of the parent show. "We knew we had a lot of people that would be looking very carefully at it but we knew there were so many different new elements we could do differently than Doctor Who," Gareth told us. Being part of something brand new wasn’t as daunting as being part of the first new season of the relaunched Doctor Who.

In regards to his death in "Children of Earth", Gareth said "it was both sad and a pleasure at the same time because the writing was so good." The sad part was leaving a show he’d been on for three years and saying good-bye to the cast and crew. Yet on the other hand he enjoyed it because of the high quality of the show, "especially that third season - Children of Earth. There were great scripts and as an actor I couldn’t have asked for more."

Although the fans may be disappointed when a main character is killed, to a certain degree it also speaks to the quality of the show when you experience this huge reaction. Given the type of show and the in-show universe, it really should have been expected: "it’s Torchwood. It’s dark. It’s brutal, it’s realistic, it’s dangerous and that’s (Ianto’s death) what needed to happen in the story."

For those thinking somehow Ianto could come back (perhaps with another "Resurrection Glove"), while Gareth’s opinion is that "any way I could be involved would be a pleasure", the outlook is doubtful as both the writers and the actors have been pretty firm that returning Ianto from the dead would cheapen the tragic death scene in "Children of Earth."

The sexual fluidity of Ianto was not something that bothered Gareth – he’s said in previous interviews he had many gay friends growing up. "What was appealing to me is when I got told that Ianto is going to be kissed and then have a big relationship with John Barrowman’s character, I was ecstatic because that means Ianto was going to get more lines."

Yet let’s face it – gay or straight, who wouldn’t want to snog John Barrowman? Even audiences want to see a Jack/Ianto makeout session. At the San Diego Comic-Con, to the delight of the fans, John and Gareth ALMOST kissed. "It was a bit strange - this group of people just chanting for it and of course John Barrowman just taking control the situation...you don’t have much choice." Of course, it helps that the series actors all have such strong chemistry. "Whenever I see John we pick up right back where we left off...we forged a good friendship in Torchwood and that will always be there."

Besides acting, Gareth fronts the progressive blues metal band Blue Gillespie, and they recently released an album "The Seven Rages of Man" about a year ago, so Gareth is not only acting and doing appearances, he’s also a working musician.

"The band has always been a side job. People ask me what would you choose - the singing or the acting? Anything I can vent, any sort of artistic element I can engage myself in, is great for me. Acting has always been the kindest to me...it’s the thing I’ve done the most of, it’s the thing I’m the most comfortable with."

That being said, the music serves as a release for Gareth. "I’d like to keep both going for as long as I possibly can." The type of music Blue Gillespie performs is described by Gareth as "...sort of degen prog metal with a lot of influences from the heavy rock of the 80s with a modern element. It’s hard to describe – you should buy the CD." Better yet, buy some of the CDs Gareth will bring to the expo.

As for working on projects for Syfy network (Warehouse 13 and Red Faction: Origins) Gareth loved it and loved working in Toronto; especially working for the Warehouse 13 team. He said if they could somehow bring his character back again, he’d do it at a drop of a hat because the show had that similar family feel to Torchwood.

Regarding the expo, Gareth hasn’t had a chance to see who else is coming to the convention. Normally he tries to keep it as a bit of a surprise for himself because if he knew a big name was going to be there, he’d get excited. "I get huge fan boy nerves sometime. Robert Englund (original Freddy Krueger) is one. I was a big fan of his when I was a teenager." Sadly he missed Englund’s appearance at last year’s expo, but when offered the consolation prize of Wil Weaton at this year’s expo, Gareth joked he just might have to cancel his appearance.

Seriously though, that won’t happen. Gareth’s quite grateful for the opportunity Torchwood has brought him. "Since I’ve been with the show, I’ve visited more countries than I have in my entire life before...really, whenever I get invited away to a beautiful city like Calgary, it’s a great thrill...and again, meeting fans that were touched by the show and the character, it just makes me feel I’ve done something right as an artist and it’s a big thrill every time."