Former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins dies after being attacked in prison
He'd been serving a jail sentence for child sex offences
Last updated 11th Oct 2025
Former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has died after being attacked at Wakefield Prison in West Yorkshire.
The 48-year-old from Pontypridd was serving a 29 year sentence for child sex offences.
He was attacked with a knife by another inmate on Saturday morning, sources have confirmed.
Emergency services were sent to the prison in West Yorkshire but Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene.
The prison went into lockdown in the immediate aftermath of the incident, sources added.
Watkins, 48, was jailed for 29 years in December 2013 with a further six years on licence after admitting a string of sex offences.
The disgraced singer was arrested following the execution of a drugs warrant at his Pontypridd home on September 21 2012 when a large number of computers, mobile phones and storage devices were seized.
Analysis of the equipment uncovered Watkins’ depraved behaviour.
Assault in prison
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:
"At 9.39am this morning (Saturday), police were called by staff at HMP Wakefield reporting an assault on a prisoner.
"Emergency services attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
"Detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are investigating and enquiries remain ongoing at the scene."
The Prison Service says it can't comment further while detectives investigate what's happened.