Sonny changed his last name to match his idol (Picture: Supplied)

The superfan is a brilliant specimen.

For eons we’ve worshipped at the altars of sports stars, pop stars, actors, fictional characters, collectibles, art, cars, and just about anything else we can relate to, share with others or simply connect with in some way.

Also known as a ‘fanatic’ (but, let’s face it, ‘fan’ is much more sexy), these superfans have travelled the globe to support their chosen love – and we’ve tracked down some of the most die-hard and dedicated.

Each week we’ll bring you the story of one keen punter who has dedicated their life and time (and money, so.much.money) to supporting someone or something – simply because it brings them immeasurable joy. And that’s what life’s about, right?




Welcome to Metro.co.uk’s super fun new series, I’m Your Biggest Fan.

This week we’re speaking with Sonny Atticus-Styles, who has gone so far as to legally change his name to match that of his idol.

Sonny, 27, started following Harry Styles way back in the X Factor days, before 1D was a thing, and he even more devoted to the singer these days, following his extremely successful foray into a solo career.

The man himself (Picture: Getty)

While Harry Styles superfans are probably believed to mainly consist of pre-teen girls who troll Taylor Swift about her song-writing capabilities, Sonny admits he isn’t keen on that side of the fandom at all.

For him, it’s about the meaning Harry has given him, feeling the singer has ‘saved him’ on more than one occasion because he felt he had ‘something to live for’.

It’s a tall order for a superstar to claim lifesaving abilities, but to Sonny, Harry is much more than just a dude who looks good and sings onstage.

Proving his loyalty, he not only has four tattoos dedicated to the guy but he legally changed his last name to Styles following a bet.

And the guy has no regrets.

So, without further ado, we peel back the curtain to unveil the Harry Styles superfan.

First things first, is Styles really your surname?

It is legally my last name. I wanted to change it 12 years ago – I wanted a double-barrelled name. Then recently in the pub someone said randomly, “If you change your name to a double-barrelled name I’ll buy your next drink.” Who is the one person in my life I wouldn’t mind sharing a name with? Harry. So I decided on Sonny Atticus-Styles and it was done at the pub.

Sonny is a fan (Picture: Supplied)

What was it about Harry that got you hooked?

He was always the one right from the start I was drawn to. I see a lot of myself in Harry.

We didn’t have a major pop group since the 90s and One Direction struck a chord with me. Even in the early days, I saw something there. When they got off the X Factor and all the excitement built for them on Twitter. What drove me to them that while their looks was the turning point, there was no pretention.



When I was Harry’s age, I struggled getting over the fact people are going to judge you no matter what they do. [His attitude to that] resonated with me a lot: if you give out love, it will come back to you.

You’ve met Harry twice. Tell us about that…

I don’t like meeting people like that in such a manufactured scenario, but there are a lot of people who have met the boys repeatedly and I never had that interaction with them. So meeting Harry at a book signing when you have 10 seconds is really intense. It didn’t feel real.

Just a couple of tour tees (Picture: Supplied)

Harry has saved me multiple times because I’ve had something to look forward to – be it his tour or album release. I’d get to a moment and think, ‘I’ve got this to look forward to’. It’s something trivial to hold onto. So then to have that person in front of you, and to thank them for saving your life… It might not mean anything to them, but it’s a burden lifted for me.

How many times have you seen him live?

I‘m not one who has gone to every show Harry has done around the world. It’s something I’ll have to work out, but I don’t think I want to face how much I’ve spent on travelling to see One Direction and Harry shows over the years.

If they’re in my city, I have to be there. When you start thinking like that, then you think, ‘oh, the gig is only Europe, it’s only LA’ and it snowballs and you’re travelling to them all.

If it’s got Harry on it, Sonny owns it (Picture: Supplied)

Why see a band multiple times? Isn’t it just the same?


I never got to see the Spice Girls live ‘til their reunion tour and I think that’s always stuck with me. You never know when it’s going to be a group’s last show. They could be like the Rolling Stones, who keep going, but it doesn’t matter what run could be your last and I get FOMO. What if something happens at that gig and I’m not there?

You’re seeing the same artist over and over repeatedly, but every night is different, it’s who you play with more than who you’re seeing.

Have you found a community in the Styles fandom?

One of my closest friends I met through Twitter [talking about] One Direction. But when you’re at the Harry shows, there is competition. If you don’t buy into that, you can feel isolated because you’re not involved in the bullshit.

People think One Direction fans are just 12-year-old girls, because you don’t see me and my friends drunk at the back.

Have you experienced any negatives being a part of the fandom?

I’ve experienced first-hand the trolling. There is a small minority [that does it]. Then this whole fan project thing [at concerts] began, when people will ask you to shine your light during a certain song. Initially it was amazing, but now there are so many projects and politics and competition to organise the best one.

On the last tour they wanted everyone to be quiet during one particular song. Which didn’t work, because what you have are people that were not being quiet, so they were being shushed.

Bitch, Harry Styles is 10-feet away from me wearing Gucci – I ain’t gonna be quiet!

I rebelled and it got out and we got attacked online for ‘disrespecting Harry’.


I step back from that, I’ll never be front row or in front of Harry because I don’t want to be involved in that politics of camping out at gigs – people tell others how to queue, where they can and can’t stand. What number they are. That’s the dark side of fandom.

It’s a sign! (Picture: Supplied)

You have four tattoos dedicated to Harry, right?

My tattoos have all been based around what I’ve been into. I’ve got a Lily Allen tattoo on my finger, I have a star on my hands from my McFly days; I’ve got a Skrillex tattoo. When it comes to One Direction, I’ve got a few of Louis, the same ones he has, in the same place, I’ve got one of Harry’s face. I’ve also got Harry’s mermaid, and two tattoos that I’ve had covered up, which was a nightmare. Harry had a padlock and the phrase ‘I can’t change’, which I found out was a Macklemore reference which he’s had covered up since.

My most recent one was my first original piece, which is the album artwork of Sign Of The Times, on my forearm.

I do have plans to get more, I think I should stop with the Harry ones because both forearms are kind of enough.

You also seem to have quite the collection of merch.

There are t-shirts that are available at each tour date and on the first leg of his tour I got two of them. I’m going to make them into a quilt. I’ve also got jumpers, there’s his pride shirt he made. It’s mainly clothing.

From the 1D days I have everything they’ve had their face on: framed magazines, tissues on my nightstand, a t-shirt from a duvet cover I learnt to sew, which was odd…

Million-dollar question to ask a superfan: do you think the band will ever get back together?

Hmm, well, Louis has been having issues with management, Liam isn’t doing as well as he should be, Niall and Harry are killing it and Zayn doesn’t count [laughs].

He said he would go back if asked, but I don’t think they’d ask him. Their best album was the one they did as a foursome.

I’m Your Biggest Fan is a weekly series that deep dives into the world of fandoms, via the people who worship the hardest. Check back in next Thursday to check out the latest aficionado.

Want to get involved in I'm Your Biggest Fan? If you've got a rather brilliant obsession - from Game of Thrones to My Little Pony - and want to share the reasons why, get in touch! Covered in tattoos of your favourite soapie star? Perhaps you sold the house to satisfy your obsession with Christmas. Whatever it is, we would love to know your story. Email us celebtips@metro.co.uk, call 020 3615 2145 or visit our Submit Stuff page with a bit about what you've done, with some pictures to back it up. You'll have to be prepared to be interviewed and deep dive into the fandom - but that's the fun part, right?