Latest news with #IanWatkins
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lostprophets guitarist speaks out about band's 'painful' end - 13 years after shamed singer Ian Watkins was jailed for vile child sex abuse crimes
The guitarist for Lostprophets has spoken out for the first time about the 'painful' end to the band, 13 years after its disgraced singer Ian Watkins was jailed for sexually abusing children. Lee Gaze, 50, said the band's downfall was the 'ultimate punishment' and could not understand how it could happen to him as he felt he had 'never really wronged anyone in my whole life'. The shamed former frontman was jailed for 35 years in 2013 for 13 offences against children, including the attempted rape of an 11-month-old baby. The pedophile also admitted to three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal. Watkins changed his plea at the start of his trial but claimed he could not remember the 'depraved' abuse because he was high on crystal meth. But Gaze revealed that the 'unimaginable circumstances' of how his band ended was often a topic he avoided. The musician wrote on X: 'It's been 13 years since my band ended in the most unimaginable circumstances and it's still painful to think about. 'Things could've been so different. 'I don't talk about it much but I put everything into that band and it should've lasted a lifetime. 'I never really wronged anyone my whole life so it seemed like the ultimate punishment.' Beloved fans rushed to consolidate the heartbroken guitarist, with one replying: 'I'm really sorry you're still carrying that pain. Everything should have been different. But fate is a cruel joke… You didn't deserve it. I think a lot about what the band would be like now.' Matt Clark wrote: 'Eternally gutted for you guys. LP were one of my formative bands in my teens and saw you guys over 20 times. 'If you all decided to re-record all your material with a new singer I'd support that! Reclaim something that one person should have no right to send to oblivion.' Matt O'Grady said: 'I always say to any band I record if LP comes up in convo, what that guy did was unspeakably evil, but I've got so much sympathy for everyone else in that (your) band, he ruined many other people's lives and careers instantly, and it's never spoken about.' One fan, Julian, said: 'Start Something was (and still is) such an important album to me, it's such a shame the band will be remembered for one vile persons actions and not the music. 'Those tunes should be staples of alternative club nights across the country.' The pedophile admitted to three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal Another added: 'The band was so key in my formative years and I loved every single song. Shinobi is still one of my all timers. Heartbreaking circumstances in which things ended, his actions should never define the band or the rest of you. Could you gather the lads and form something else?' Since Watkins's 35-year term was handed down, he has had an extra 10 months added to the sentence due to possession of a mobile phone. At a hearing for that offence, he told how he was locked up with 'the worst of the worst' and said someone could 'sneak up behind me and cut my throat'. And in August 2023, the vile creep was left in a critical condition in hospital after three 'heavy-duty' prisoners took him hostage for six hours and stabbed him in the neck in a targeted attack. Officers at the prison had to wait for an armed 'Tornado' team of specially-trained riot officers to break up the hostage situation that lasted six hours, the Sun reported. The officers hurled stun grenades into the cell in order to free Watkins - who visitors say still 'prances around like a star' behind bars - from the other inmates after they stormed the wing. The pedophile was described as 'screaming' and in fear of his life as he was taken, with the entire West Yorkshire prison wing swiftly put on lockdown. Sources claimed at the time the group of three responsible - two of which are believed to be 'killers' - were 'recent arrivals' to the Category A prison and had planned the attack, which is thought to be in anger over him giving guitar lessons to other inmates, to take place on a day where there were fewer staff working. Describing the moment Watkins was taken hostage at the prison (pictured, stock image), a source said the paedophile as 'screaming' and in 'fear of his life' The singer - a former boyfriend of BBC radio and television presenter Fearne Cotton - pleaded guilty to sex offences involving the children of two female fans, who were sentenced to 14 and 17 years in prison for allowing the offences to take place. Prosecutor QC Chris Clee told Cardiff Crown Court in 2013: 'Ian Watkins was the lead singer of a successful band called the Lostprophets. 'He was also a determined and committed paedophile engaged in serious sex offences involving of two babies.' Mr Clee also gave details of a sickening 17-minute video involving Watkins and one of the baby's mother. He said camcorder footage was shot in a London hotel room which showed Watkins performing a sex act on the child. Sentencing Watkins, Mr Justice Royce said the case broke 'new ground' and his actions 'plunged into new depths of depravity'. His ex-bandmates had previously spoken about Watkins soon after he was jailed, insisting that if they really knew who their bandmate was they 'would have killed him'. Lee Gaze, Mike Lewis, Stuart Richardson, Jamie Oliver and Luke Johnson, who are all from Pontypridd, south Wales, said they had no idea about the vocalist's paedophile ways. Guitarist Gaze said: 'How could you know? 'Who would disclose such a thing to five people, who between them have eight children? You just wouldn't because they would be killed on the spot.' Speaking to Radio 1's newsbeat in 2014, he said the band members were hit by two waves of shock – firstly when Watkins was arrested in December 2012 and a year later when he finally pleaded guilty. He said: 'There was two sets of shock because there were the accusations - which was one thing. And then there was the actual, 'Yeah I did do it' which was a year later. 'He dragged that out for a year, so we got hit by it twice.' His former bandmates were trying at the time to move forward with their new band No Devotion, with the help of singer Geoff Rickly who they enlisted as their vocalist. Bassist Stuart Richardson added: 'Even though I was completely done with him (by this stage), I hoped it was all a mistake, he was innocent, he had to be. 'The first time, we knew the band was done. You can't go back from that.' Towards the end of Lostprophets, Gaze said that Watkins had become increasingly distant from the band. 'He was doing his own thing,' he said. 'That just grew worse over the years, the more he was using drugs. 'He could be in the same city as me and I wouldn't hang out with him, even if we weren't playing shows.' Lostprophets entered the rock scene in 2000 with their debut album TheFakeSoundofProgress. A major label deal soon followed and saw the band's second album Start Something become a commercial success in 2002 both at home in the UK and the US. However, cracks in Watkins's life soon started to appear - with rumours emerging of him being a sex-crazed drug addict who regularly conducted seedy online sex chats with young fans. He has also previously faced multiple allegations of inappropriate messages and sex with underage girls. Watkins initially denied his sickening crimes and claimed he was being framed to look like a paedophile after police found incriminating footage.
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Lostprophets star speaks out 13 years after singer Ian Watkins was convicted of vile child sex offences
Watkins was jailed in 2013 after a shocking trial for offences including the attempted rape of a baby 'IT'S BEEN PAINFUL' Lostprophets star speaks out 13 years after singer Ian Watkins was convicted of vile child sex offences Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOSTPROPHETS guitarist Lee Gaze has spoken out 13 years after singer Ian Watkins was convicted of vile child sex offences - calling the end of the band "painful". The musician, 50, shared a post where he described the band's infamous demise as the "ultimate punishment" Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Lostprophets guitarist Lee Gaze has spoken out 13 year after Ian Watkins' crimes Credit: Getty 4 Ian Watkins was jailed for 35 years in 2013 for 13 offences against children Credit: AP:Associated Press 4 Watkins was refused the right to appeal against his 35-year sentence Credit: PA:Press Association The Welsh band's former frontman Watkins was jailed for 35 years in 2013 for 13 sex offences against children. Gaze took to his X account as he reflected on the past and shared his heartache, writing: "It's been 13 years since my band ended in the most unimaginable circumstances and it's still painful to think about. "Things could've been so different." He added: "I don't talk about it much, but I put everything into that band, and it should've lasted a lifetime. "I never really wronged anyone my whole life so it seemed like the ultimate punishment." His followers took to the comment section to share their support for the star. One wrote: "I'm really sorry you're still carrying that pain. Everything should have been different. But fate is a cruel joke. You didn't deserve it. I think a lot about what the band would be like now." He replied to the fan, saying: "Yeh. Hard to make sense of it all, even after all these years." This person posted: "I wish you a big success with your new project. Thanks for the music and memories." Another added: "I always say to any band I record if LP comes up in conversation, what that guy did was unspeakably evil, but I've got so much sympathy for everyone else in that (your) band - he ruined many other people's lives and careers instantly, and it's never spoken about." Ian Watkins handed 35-year jail sentence Vile paedophile Watkins was jailed in 2013 after a shocking trial for offences including the attempted rape of a baby. He changed his plea to guilty at the beginning of the trial and admitted to trying to rape a fan's baby and plotting to rape another infant. Watkins filmed himself committing sex acts on a baby boy the day after Lostprophets' final album Weapons was released. The fiend claimed at Cardiff Crown Court he could not remember the sickening attacks because he was a 'heavy user' of crystal meth at the time. A year after being placed behind bars, Watkins was refused the right to appeal against his 35-year sentence. Lord Justice Christopher Pitchford said his offences were of 'such shocking depravity' that the long sentence was called for. He said the original trial judge had correctly gauged the seriousness of his offending and that the term was not 'manifestly unjust'. In 2019, Watkins had a further 10 months added to his sentence after he was convicted of having a banned mobile phone in prison, which he used to communicate with scores of warped female fans from his cell. He will be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of the prison term. In August 2023, Watkins was taken to hospital after he was taken hostage by three other lags, before being ''roughed up'' and stabbed. According to sources, the siege at HMP Wakefield only came to an end when a ''Tornado'' team of specially-trained riot officers hurled stun grenades into the cell, where Watkins was being held. One source said he had been stabbed in the neck and had been taken for life-saving treatment at Leeds General Infirmary.
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Lostprophets star speaks out 13 years after singer Ian Watkins was convicted of vile child sex offences
LOSTPROPHETS guitarist Lee Gaze has spoken out 13 years after singer Ian Watkins was convicted of vile child sex offences - calling the end of the band "painful". The musician, 50, shared a post where he described the band's infamous demise as the "ultimate punishment" 4 Lostprophets guitarist Lee Gaze has spoken out 13 year after Ian Watkins' crimes Credit: Getty 4 Ian Watkins was jailed for 35 years in 2013 for 13 offences against children Credit: AP:Associated Press 4 Watkins was refused the right to appeal against his 35-year sentence Credit: PA:Press Association The Welsh band's former frontman Watkins was Gaze took to his X account as he reflected on the past and shared his heartache, writing: "It's been 13 years since my band ended in the most unimaginable circumstances and it's still painful to think about. "Things could've been so different." He added: "I don't talk about it much, but I put everything into that band, and it should've lasted a lifetime. "I never really wronged anyone my whole life so it seemed like the ultimate punishment." His followers took to the comment section to share their support for the star. One wrote: "I'm really sorry you're still carrying that pain. Everything should have been different. But fate is a cruel joke. You didn't deserve it. I think a lot about what the band would be like now." He replied to the fan, saying: "Yeh. Hard to make sense of it all, even after all these years." Most read in Celebrity This person posted: "I wish you a big success with your new project. Thanks for the music and memories." Another added: "I always say to any band I record if LP comes up in conversation, what that guy did was unspeakably evil, but I've got so much sympathy for everyone else in that (your) band - he ruined many other people's lives and careers instantly, and it's never spoken about." Ian Watkins handed 35-year jail sentence Vile paedophile Watkins was jailed in 2013 after a shocking trial for offences including the attempted rape of a baby. He changed his plea to guilty at the beginning of the trial and admitted to trying to rape a fan's baby and plotting to rape another infant. Watkins filmed himself committing sex acts on a baby boy the day after Lostprophets' final album Weapons was released. The fiend claimed at Cardiff Crown Court he could not remember the sickening attacks because he was a 'heavy user' of A year after being placed behind bars, Watkins was refused the right to appeal against his 35-year sentence. Lord Justice Christopher Pitchford said his offences were of 'such shocking depravity' that the long sentence was called for. He said the original trial judge had correctly gauged the seriousness of his offending and that the term was not 'manifestly unjust'. In 2019, Watkins had a further 10 months added to his sentence after he was convicted of having a banned mobile phone in prison, which he used to communicate with scores of warped female fans from his cell. He will be eligible for In August 2023, Watkins was taken to hospital after he was taken hostage by three other lags, before being ''roughed up'' and stabbed. Read more on the Irish Sun According to sources, the siege at One source said he had been stabbed in the neck and had been taken for life-saving treatment at Leeds General Infirmary. 4 Gaze described the band ending as 'painful' and the 'ultimate punishment' Credit: Getty
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Lostprophets star speaks out 13 years after singer Ian Watkins was convicted of vile child sex offences
LOSTPROPHETS guitarist Lee Gaze has spoken out 13 year after Ian Watkins arrest - calling the end of the band "painful". The musician, 50, shared an honest post where he described the band tragically ending the way it did as the "ultimate punishment" 4 4 The Welsh band's former frontman Watkins was jailed for 35 years in 2013 for 13 offences against children. Gaze took to his X account as he reflected on the past and shared his heartache, writing: "It's been 13 years since my band ended in the most unimaginable circumstances and it's still painful to think about. "Things could've been so different." He added: "I don't talk about it much, but I put everything into that band, and it should've lasted a lifetime. "I never really wronged anyone my whole life so it seemed like the ultimate punishment." His followers took to the comment section to share their support for the star. One wrote: "I'm really sorry you're still carrying that pain. Everything should have been different. But fate is a cruel joke. You didn't deserve it. I think a lot about what the band would be like now." He replied to the fan, saying: "Yeh. Hard to make sense of it all, even after all these years." This person posted: "I wish you a big success with your new project. Thanks for the music and memories." Another added: "I always say to any band I record if LP comes up in conversation, what that guy did was unspeakably evil, but I've got so much sympathy for everyone else in that (your) band - he ruined many other people's lives and careers instantly, and it's never spoken about." Ian Watkins handed 35-year jail sentence Vile paedophile Watkins was jailed in 2013 after a shocking trial for offences including the attempted rape of a baby. He changed his plea to guilty at the beginning of the trial and admitted to trying to rape a fan's baby and plotting to rape another infant. Watkins filmed himself committing sex acts on a baby boy the day after Lostprophets final album Weapons was released. The fiend claimed at Cardiff Crown Court he could not remember the sickening attacks because he was a 'heavy user' of crystal meth at the time. A year after being placed behind bars, Watkins was refused the right to appeal against his 35-year sentence. Lord Justice Christopher Pitchford said his offences were of 'such shocking depravity' that the long sentence was called for. He said the original trial judge had correctly gauged the seriousness of his offending and that the term was not 'manifestly unjust'. In 2019, Watkins had a further 10 months added to his sentence after he was convicted of having a banned mobile phone in prison, which he used to communicate with scores of warped female fans from his cell. He will be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of the prison term. In August 2023, Watkins was taken to hospital after he was taken hostage by three other lags, before being ''roughed up'' and stabbed. According to sources, the siege at HMP Wakefield only came to an end when a ''Tornado'' team of specially-trained riot officers hurled stun grenades into the cell, where Watkins was being held. One source said he had been stabbed in the neck and had been taken for life-saving treatment at Leeds General Infirmary. 4
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Lostprophets guitarist breaks 'years of silence' after vile Ian Watkins scandal
Lostprophets guitarist breaks 'years of silence' after vile Ian Watkins scandal Former Lostprophets guitarist Lee Gaze has spoken out following "years of silence" after his band mate and rock band frontman, Ian Watkins, was convicted for child sex offences Lee Gaze (centre) opened up about his time with Lostprophets A former guitarist of Welsh rock band Lostprophets has spoken out following years of "silence" after frontman, Ian Watkins, was convicted for vile child sex offences. Lee Gaze, 50, recently shared on X that it's "painful" to think about what happened as things "could have been so different." Ian Watkins found fame and fortune as frontman of the rock band Lostprophets until he was unmasked as a drug-crazed predatory paedophile. Lostprophets were a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997 by singer and lyricist Watkins and guitarist Gaze. The group were founded after their former band Fleshbind broke up. The group sold millions of records worldwide and had four top 10 UK albums. Once rock press poster boy, Watkins shocked the music world after pleading guilty to the attempted rape of a baby and 10 other sex offences after preying on fans, including two who offered up their babies to be abused by their idol. He had long protested his innocence from the day of his arrest in 2012 up until the day of his trial a year later where he finally admitted what he had done. Watkins was described in court as a "determined and committed paedophile". Recently, Gaze talked about the band on X, admitting that how things ended left him devastated. It's one of few times former band members have ever spoken out about the matter in public. Former Lostprophets frontman and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins (Image: South Wales Police/PA Wire ) Article continues below Gaze wrote: "It's been 13 years since my band ended in the most unimaginable circumstances and it's still painful to think about. Things could've been so different. "I don't talk about it much, but I put everything into that band, and it should've lasted a lifetime. I never really wronged anyone my whole life so it seemed like the ultimate punishment." After he spoke of the past, and how the band ended, many people reached out to offer words of kindness and support. One person responded: "I wish you a big success with your new project. Thanks for the music and memories." Another added: "I'm really sorry you're still carrying that pain. Everything should have been different. But fate is a cruel joke. You didn't deserve it. I think a lot about what the band would be like now." To this, Gaze replied: "Yeh. Hard to make sense of it all, even after all these years." Content cannot be displayed without consent Someone else also offered their thoughts, writing: "I always say to any band I record if LP comes up in convo, what that guy did was unspeakably evil, but I've got so much sympathy for everyone else in that (your) band - he ruined many other people's lives and careers instantly, and it's never spoken about." One more also wrote: "Eternally gutted for you guys. LP were one of my formative bands in my teens and saw you guys over 20 times. "If you all decided to re-record all your material with a new singer I'd support that! Reclaim something that one person should have no right to send to oblivion." Article continues below Someone else also replied: "Echoing what others have said about the impact you guys had on me during uni years. Remember seeing you at Brixton circa 2006 ish, epic. Hope you've been able to find peace with it all - must've been an incredibly heavy burden to carry for so long." Gaze now forms a part of the band No Devotion, alongside American vocalist Geoff Rickly of the band Thursday and Stu Richardson, who was also in Lostprophets. Rhythm guitarist Mike Lewis, drummer Luke Johnson and keys/synth player Jamie Oliver were also members of the band, but later left.
