In a raw and emotional revelation, former Lostprophets guitarist Mike Lewis has broken his decade-long silence about disgraced frontman Ian Watkins, whose death in prison last year marked the final chapter in one of music's most shocking scandals.
Lewis, who co-founded the Welsh rock band, described how Watkins's horrific paedophile crimes not only destroyed their successful career but left him and fellow band members grappling with guilt and betrayal.
The Day Everything Changed
"It was like a nuclear bomb went off in our lives," Lewis recalled, detailing the moment he learned about Watkins's depraved actions. The guitarist had been preparing for another tour when news broke that would end the band forever.
Watkins, once celebrated as a rock star, was revealed to be a predatory sex offender who had committed unspeakable crimes against infants and children. He received a 35-year sentence in 2013 for multiple offences including attempted rape of a baby.
Living with the Aftermath
Lewis spoke candidly about the psychological toll of discovering his friend and bandmate's true nature. "You question everything - every memory, every interaction," he shared. "The guilt of not seeing what was happening still haunts me."
The remaining band members faced public backlash despite their innocence, with Lewis describing how they were forced to abandon their musical identities and start completely new lives.
The Prison Death That Changed Nothing
When news reached Lewis that Watkins had died in HMP Wakefield at age 46, he felt only relief that the chapter had closed. "His death doesn't change what he did or the damage he caused," Lewis stated. "The victims are who we should remember."
Watkins's passing in September 2023 brought renewed attention to one of Britain's most notorious criminal cases, though Lewis emphasises that the true tragedy remains the suffering of Watkins's victims.
Rebuilding from the Ashes
Lewis and other former Lostprophets members eventually formed new band No Devotion, but the shadow of Watkins's crimes continues to loom large. "We lost everything we built over fifteen years overnight," Lewis revealed.
The guitarist's decision to speak out now comes from a need for closure and to remind the public that while Watkins's story ended in prison, the victims and their families continue living with the consequences every day.
