Syirin Said, wife of Lostprophets guitarist Lee Gaze, has spoken out about how her life changed after the horrific crimes of paedophile rocker Ian Watkins were exposed
The wife of Ian Watkins’s Lostprophets bandmate has shared how their life changed in the wake of the paedophile rocker’s horrific crimes being exposed.
Syirin Said, wife of guitarist Lee Gaze, says “friends vanished overnight” when Watkins’ history of child abuse was made public. She adds how she and her husband were left having to rebuild their lives.
Watkins was killed at HMP Wakefield on Saturday, with two inmates charged with murder over the alleged attack. Emergency services were sent to the prison in West Yorkshire, but disgraced rock star Watkins, 48, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ms Said, a former singer of Malaysian girl group M’Steen, has broken her silence, admitting that Watkins’ death has “brought back a lot of emotions and experiences”.
Watkins, 48, 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.
His bandmates, Lee Gaze, Mike Lewis, Stuart Richardson, Jamie Oliver and Luke Johnson, have always maintained they knew nothing about Watkins’ crimes. In 2014, Gaze said in an interview: “How could you know? How would you know? Who would disclose such a thing to five people, who between them have eight children? You just wouldn’t because they would be killed on the spot.”
Gaze’s wife Ms Said has not reacted to comments on social media regarding Waktins’ death. “I can’t believe I’m saying and posting this. It’s been over a decade and I haven’t said a word until now,” she wrote on social media.
“But seeing Lostprophets posts by people with zero context, zero empathy – not to the victims, the band members, their families, including mine – makes me speak up. I am not speaking on behalf of my husband or the band members. I am speaking on behalf of me, my family, my kids, and our truths.
“For decades my husband poured his heart and soul into writing epic songs, loved by their fans. His band touched so many lives positively when you think about Last Train Home, Rooftop, Burn Burn.”
Ms Said went on to recall how hurt her family were by his crimes, but also how comments about the rest of the Lostprophets bands deeply upset her.
“Our family had to rebuild from nothing, no support. These posts with no heart, no mention of the victims still healing or families like ours still hurting, trying to get by, it’s like we’re invisible again. This isn’t a trend. It’s our life,” she shared.
“I just want to thank those who messaged, called, commented, and DM’d with care and compassion. You see us, you appreciate what we went through, and we appreciate you. But if you’re posting just for likes, views, engagement with zero thought for the lives broken, please step back.
“Be kind. And perhaps I don’t know, acknowledge that others hurt too. And if you were hurt by this in any capacity, I hope you’re finding ways to heal, like we are.”
Watkins , 48, 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.
The disgraced singer was arrested following the execution of a drugs warrant at his Pontypridd home on September 21 2012 when a large number of computers, mobile phones and storage devices were seized.
Analysis of the equipment uncovered Watkins ’ depraved behaviour. 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.
