Singer Gary Glitter's health is understood to have deteriorated dramatically as the convicted paedophile remains incarcerated at HMP Channings Wood in Devon.
The 81-year-old, whose real name is Paul Gadd, is said to be almost completely deaf and largely confined to a wheelchair.
According to sources speaking to The Sun, the disgraced former pop star is "on his last legs, with his body giving up."
An insider claimed: "He is deaf and can barely move - and most people would struggle to recognise him now."
Paul Gadd, also known as Gary Glitter, is said to be almost completely deaf and largely confined to a wheelchair
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The source added that Mr Glitter has become virtually unrecognisable from his former self.
Fellow prisoners and prison officers reportedly believe the convicted sex offender will die in custody, with many expecting him to take his final breath behind bars.
Mr Glitter was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2015 after being found guilty of having sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, attempted rape, and four counts of indecent assault.
The former glam rock performer was released from custody but his freedom proved short-lived.
Gary Glitter was sent back to prison in 2023
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In March 2023, he was sent back to prison after breaching the conditions of his licence.
His return to custody came just one month after his initial release.
The Parole Board rejected his application for release last year, with the panel determining that he continued to display a "lack of victim empathy."
Sources now suggest his declining physical condition has become a more pressing concern than any future parole hearings.
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The convicted child sex offender reportedly spends as many as 23 hours each day confined to his cell, rarely venturing out
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Prison insiders have indicated that if Mr Glitter fails to secure parole in the near future, staff and inmates alike anticipate he will spend his remaining days incarcerated.
The convicted child sex offender reportedly spends as many as 23 hours each day confined to his cell, rarely venturing out.
Sources have described him as reluctant to leave his accommodation, with his physical limitations severely restricting his movement around the facility.
His case recently returned to court proceedings, which has reportedly weighed heavily on the ageing prisoner.
Gary Glitter in 1970
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An insider told The Sun: "Glitter's case was also back in court recently and that has weighed on him and is adding to his woes. He is deeply troubled by what is going on."
Mr Glitter is reportedly viewed with disdain by his fellow prisoners, who consider him arrogant in his demeanour.
His unpopularity within the prison population has necessitated special protective measures.
The convicted paedophile is housed on a vulnerable prisoner unit, as HMP Channings Wood is not exclusively designated for sex offenders.
According to sources, this arrangement is essential for his safety, as he would face significant danger if placed on a standard wing.
An insider explained: "He is kept out of harm's way because he would not be safe on another wing."