Ian David Karslake Watkins was a Welsh singer, songwriter, and convicted child sex offender. He was the lead singer and frontman of the rock band Lostprophets from 1997 to 2012. Watkins founded Lostprophets with Lee Gaze in 1997, having previously been in a band called Fleshbind with him. Lostprophets released five studio albums, four of which made the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart, including Liberation Transmission which went to number 1 in 2006.
Watkins was sentenced to 29 years' imprisonment in 2013 for multiple sexual offences. He pleaded guilty to sexual assault of children, including those as young as infants, and the possession of child and animal sexual abuse material. His bandmates disbanded Lostprophets shortly before his trial.
Watkins died after being attacked while imprisoned at HM Prison Wakefield on 11 October 2025. West Yorkshire Police have charged two men with his murder.
