It was only a matter of time before Lostprophets would be forced to make a decision on the fate of their band, but they are not awaiting the outcome of frontman Ian Watkins’ sex abuse trial to do so. The band announced today via Facebook that they are calling it quits.
Watkins was faced with child sex offense charges late last year from which he was imprisoned and then placed on a five-time-per-hour suicide watch. Police in South Wales charged the singer in December with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13, possession and distribution of indecent images of children, conspiring with a woman to rape a one-year-old girl, two incidents of conspiring to engage in sexual touching with two young children and possessing “extreme” animal pornography, the BBC originally reported. Watkins is denying the charges.
The band released a statement following the news saying they were in a “state of shock” regarding the charges against the person who founded their band. Today’s information regarding their future came in the Facebook statement below.
To our fans:
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. Your love and support over the past 15 years has been tremendous, and we’ll be forever grateful for all you’ve given us. As we look forward to the next phase of our lives, we can only hope to be surrounded by people as devoted and inspiring as you guys have been.
Jamie, Lee, Luke, Mike, and Stu
