Ian Watkins’ ex-girlfriend reveals he ‘had target on his back’ before prison stabbing

Undated file handout photo issued by South Wales Police of former Lostprophets frontman and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins, who's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening after he was reportedly stabbed at HMP Wakefield, police have said. Police said they were notified by prison staff of an assault on a prisoner on the afternoon of Saturday, August 5. Issue date: Monday August 7, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story PRISONS Watkins . Photo credit should read: South Wales Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins, 48, has died after being stabbed in prison (Picture: PA)

Ian Watkins’ ex-girlfriend has said she’s ‘surprised he wasn’t killed sooner’.

The disgraced Lostprophets singer, 48, has died after being stabbed to death in his prison cell.

He was serving a 35-year sentence after being convicted of 13 child sexual offences in 2013, with charges including conspiring to rape an 11-month-old baby and three counts of sexual assault involving children.

His ex-girlfriend, Joanne Mjadzelics, who helped expose the paedophile, has now spoken of her ‘relief’ over his death.

Mjadzelics told the Daily Mail: ‘This is a big shock, but I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner. I was always waiting for this phone call.

‘He was walking around with a target on his back from the first day he entered the prison.

Joanne Mjadzelics - the ex-girlfriend of paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins pictured outside Cardiff Crown court as her lawyer reads a statement after she was cleared of all charges. Mjadzelics has today been cleared of six charges of possessing and distributing indecent images of children and encouraging Watkins to send her an indecent image of a child. ? WALES NEWS SERVICE
Ian Watkins’ ex-girlfriend, Joanne Mjadzelics, said his death is a ‘relief’
(Picture: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

‘I have always been scared of him getting out and tracking me down or something, so this is a relief.

‘I wanted him dead for a long time after everything he did. I am relieved, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my head.

‘This is the second time someone has slashed his throat. I expected it to have happened earlier. He’s been in there for almost 13 years.’

Mjadzelics added that the families of Watkins’ victims will be ‘rejoicing’ over the news of his death.

‘He’s gone and they will be just as relieved as I am. Maybe now a new part of my life will begin.

‘The man I fell in love with never existed. He manipulated me and that man who died today in prison was a stranger to me. I never loved him, he just put on a character.’

Members of Lostprophets (from the left) Lee Gaze, Stuart Richardson, Mike Lewis, Ian Watkins and Luke Johnson who have split up, they have announced. The group, whose frontman Ian Watkins is due to stand trial accused of baby rape and a total of 22 other sex offences at the end of the year, announced the news on its Facebook page. His bandmates said in a statement: "After nearly a year of coming to terms with our heartache, we finally feel ready to announce publicly what we have thought privately for some time. We can no longer continue making or performing music as Lostprophets. MediaMogul v2.11.7p1See PA story SHOWBIZ Lostprophets. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Lostprophets cancelled all tour dates and disbanded in October 2013 while Watkins was on trial (Picture: PA)

Watkins was previously taken to hospital after being attacked in 2023. At the time, police said his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

A source told the Mirror he had been taken hostage by three other inmates.

And in 2019 he was jailed for 10 months on top of the sentence he was serving for child sex offences after he was found guilty of possessing a mobile phone in prison.

Watkins claimed two inmates forced him to hold on to the phone so they could contact women who sent him fan mail in order to use them as a ‘revenue stream’.

In his evidence, the defendant refused to name the men, but said: ‘You would not want to mess with them.’

He also said his fellow inmates were murderers, mass murderers, rapists, paedophiles, serial killers – the worst of the worst.’

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Huw John/Shutterstock (599807a) Lost Prophets - Ian Watkins The Lost Prophets in concert, Cardiff International Stadium, Wales, Britain - 22 Jul 2006
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of the former Lostprophets frontman (Picture: Huw John/Shutterstock)
File photo dated 13/05/25 of Wakefeild Prison in West Yorkshire, where former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has died after being attacked, on Saturday morning while serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences, sources have confirmed. Issue date: Saturday October 11, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Wakefeild Prison in West Yorkshire, where Watkins was stabbed to death (Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Two men, aged 25 and 43, were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of his murder.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: ‘Detectives have launched a murder investigation after the death of a man in HMP Wakefield.

‘Officers were called by staff at the prison at 9.39am this morning to reports of a serious assault on a prisoner.

‘A man aged 48 was found with serious injuries. Despite medical attention he was pronounced dead at the scene.

‘Two men aged 25 and 43 have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently in police custody.

‘Detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are investigating and enquiries remain ongoing.’

Watkins was jailed for 29 years in December 2013 with a further six years on licence, after admitting a string of sex offences – including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby.

In 2014 Watkins was told he could not appeal against the length of his jail term.

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