Lostprophets were one of the biggest names in UK rock earlier this century – but the lives of the band members were thrown into chaos after Ian Watkins was jailed for horrific sex crimes
Back at the beginning of the century, Lostprophets was one of the biggest bands in UK rock. They topped the albums charts in 2006 with their third album, Liberation Transmission – and had three other top 10 records.
While the band is arguably now best known for being fronted by the late sex offender Ian Watkins – who was killed behind bars over the weekend – he was not the sole musician behind the group.
Five other singers were in the group when it dramatically came to an end in 2013 after Watkins was imprisoned for 29 years after being found guilty of a string of vile sex offences – including conspiracy to have sex with an infant. His jail time was later increased to 35 years after he was found guilty of smuggling a phone into prison.
READ MORE: Ian Watkins dead: Lostprophets paedophile stabbed to death in prison knife attackREAD MORE: Every Ian Watkins vile crime as Lostprophets paedophile killed behind bars
During his trial relating to his phone possession in 2019, Watkins chillingly predicted he would be stabbed to death in jail. This turned out to be the case as he was stabbed by a fellow inmate in the throat and bled to death on Saturday.
But what has become of the other members of the band? Here The Mirror looks into who they are and what they are doing now.
Lee Gaze
Lead guitarist and backing singer Lee Gaze was a co-founder of Lostprophets, creating the band in 1997 alongside Watkins. Born on 21 May 1975, Gaze grew up on a council estate in Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd, and found escapism through metal music – citing Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer as major influences.
He was left devastating and heartbroken when Lostprophets was forced to disband in the wake of Watkins’s heinous crimes. Earlier this year, he took to X to lament the collapse of his project.
He wrote in July: “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.” And he added: “It is as painful today as it was then. No less.”
He later went on to form the rock band No Devotion alongside fellow Lost Prophets star Stuart Richardson and American singer Geoff Rickly, 46. The band released the critically acclaimed albums Permanence, in 2015, and No Oblivion, in 2022.
Away from music, Gaze married London-based Malaysian former singer, Syirin Said, in 2008. They have two children together.
Stuart Richardson
Stuart Richardson was bass guitarist and provided backing vocals in Lostprophets from 1998 until 2013. Born on 15 August 1973, Richardson is from Tonypandy, Wales, and counts David Bowie and Iron Maiden as early music favourites.
He began his music career in the mid 1990s, working as a music engineer before joining Lost Prophets in 1998. He was devastated when the band was destroyed by Watkins’s crimes and has hit out about the betrayal in the past – and explained why he felt compelled to launch a new band quickly.
Hitting out on the Sappenin’ Podcast in 2019, he said: “I was like, well, ‘Fuck if that’s gonna be the thing that’s on my fucking gravestone.’ Like ‘Oh, that guy was in that band with that fucking prick.’ It’s like, fuck that. I’m gonna do my own band immediately.”
He co-formed No Devotion alongside Lee Gaze in 2014 – and recently marked the 10 year anniversary of their debut album. He wrote in a lengthy Instagram post last month: “Well this one snuck up on me. Still my favorite songs I’ve ever written. Still the album that means the most to me as a producer. It felt like an out-of-body experience.”
He reminisced about his time creating the record, and explained: “I was still crawling out from the wreckage of my past. We didn’t know what we were building — we just knew we had to make it.”
He continued: “The love and support from the press when it came out was overwhelming. It was nourishing. We didn’t expect that. We really didn’t expect anything. We just hoped someone would listen. And some of you did.”
He reportedly lives in Los Angeles with his wife Marissa and their two daughters – and is also the owner of Rocky Water Studios, a studio based in Florida.
Jamie Oliver
Much like front man Watkins sharing a name with a fellow celebrity – namely Steps star H – vocalist and keyboardist Jamie Oliver shares his name with a famous chef. However, his birth name is Richard J Oliver.
He was born on 16 July 1975 in Pontypridd, Wales, and was part of the band from 2000 until it was disbanded in 2013.
Oliver went on to quit music entierly in 2017 in order to focus on his art and fitness career. He reportedly battled depression after Lostprophets was destroyed by Watkins’s crimes and found peace through mountain hiking. He now lives in LA with his wife and children.
Mike Lewis
Rhythm guitarist Mike Lewis was in the band from 1998 until 2013 – and has also been a member of No Devotion. Born in Pontypridd, Wales, on 17 August 1977, Lewis was originally in a band called Aftermath in 1991 – alongside Ian Watkins.
The duo never recorded any material together as this group, but Lewis was the original bassist for Lostprophets, before switching to rhythm guitar.
Away from music, he married girlfriend Amber Payne in 2006 and they welcomed a daughter together. However, the couple split in March 2023.
Luke Johnson
Drummer Luke Johnson was in the band from 2009 until 2013. And English member of the band, Johnson was born on 11 March 1981 in Redditch.
Before joining Lostprophets, he was in a band called Beat Union who won some critical praise and were compared to Elvis Costello, The Jam, and Green Day. Following the collapse of Lostprophets, he joined his bandmates as a member of No Devotion – but left the group in 2015.
He later released solo material and then joined the band Lowlives alongside Lee Downer and released their first EP, Burn Forever, in 2018. They released a debut album, titled Freaking Out, last year.
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.