Former Lostprophets guitarist Lee Gaze has responded to the prison killing of his ex-bandmate Ian Watkins, who was fatally stabbed at HMP Wakefield on Saturday morning.
Mr Gaze replied to well-wishers with prayer emojis and thanked one supporter for their "kind words" after being told he had "created things beyond" the disgraced singer.
When confronted with footage from 2010 showing Mr Watkins making inappropriate comments, the guitarist's anger became evident.
He assured followers that none of the band members were aware of Mr Watkins' crimes.
Lostprophets band members including Lee Gaze (left) and Ian Watkins (second from right)
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"I can assure you had any of us known he'd never of made it as far as prison," Mr Gaze wrote, referring to Mr Watkins as a "sick c**t".
The 48-year-old convicted paedophile died after being attacked with a knife in the early hours of Saturday, with emergency services called to the prison at 9:39am.
According to reports, Mr Watkins was allegedly murdered by a "gangland brute" serving time for murder, who slashed his throat during a dispute over protection money.
A source claimed that Watkins had been paying for security whilst housed on a general population wing rather than amongst other sex offenders.
HMP Wakefield where Ian Watkins died
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The killer had reportedly demanded money for protection before turning on him.
This marked the second throat-slashing incident involving Mr Watkins, who survived a previous assault in August 2023 that left him with non-life-threatening injuries.
Mr Watkins was serving a 29-year prison term for 13 child sex offences, having been jailed in December 2013 for crimes that prosecutors said went "beyond imagination".
The former rock star from Pontypridd had pleaded guilty to attempting to rape a baby, alongside other charges including conspiracy to rape a child and multiple counts of sexual assault involving minors.
Ian Watkins was the lead singer of the band
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Lostprophets, who had achieved global success selling millions of albums since forming in 1997, disbanded immediately following Mr Watkins' conviction.
During sentencing, the judge described how the case had "plunged into new depths of depravity" and noted Mr Watkins' "complete lack of remorse" for his actions.
West Yorkshire Police have launched a murder investigation, with detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team leading the inquiry.
Two men, aged 25 and 43, were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody. The younger suspect is believed to have been the one who wielded the weapon.
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Lostprophets' Lee Gaze responded to fans on X
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Joanne Mjadzelics, Mr Watkins' former girlfriend, expressed no surprise at his death, stating she was "surprised" it "didn't happen sooner".
She revealed her relief at the news, saying: "I have always been scared of him getting out and tracking me down or something, so this is a relief."
Ms Mjadzelics believed the victims' families would be "rejoicing" at Mr Watkins' death, noting he had been "walking around with a target on his back" since entering prison.