A woman has opened up about her encounter with disgraced Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins as she said she’s still physically stick over his requests of her and her daughter
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Ian Watkins was a convicted paedophile (Image: WireImage)
A woman has said she is physically sick when she thinks of what paedophile Ian Watkins requested of her and her nine-month-old daughter. The Lostprophets singer was jailed for 29 years for 13 horrific sex offences, including the attempted rape and sexual assault of children under the age of 13.
One of the infants was just 10 months old. Watkins was killed in prison over the weekend, and two inmates have been charged with his murder.
Now, a woman has spoken out after allegedly becoming besotted by Watkins until he made a demonic demand of her. The woman named Hannah said she wanted to get the singer to notice her on social media when she was a teenager.
READ MORE: ‘I was Ian Watkins’ Lostprophets bandmate and punched him for what he did during tour’READ MORE: Inside Ian Watkins’ ‘Monster Mansion’ prison where Lostprophets paedo had ‘target on back’
Watkins requested to see the 17-year-old naked on a webcam, but he allegedly turned his attention to her baby daughter. “I didn’t realise how much it has affected me – it’s really, really bad,” she said.
“It’s sickening really – it makes me physically sick,” Hannah told the Sun. She refused Watkins’ request to go on the webcam, but it didn’t deter him.
Hannah has claimed Watkins asked if she and her daughter would meet him, but she refused. Watkins allegedly asked if her baby would call him dad and if they “could be used as sex slaves”.
She said not long after her encounter with Watkins, he was arrested. A total of 27 terabytes of data storage from computers and devices found in Watkins’ possession of child abuse photos and films.
His heinous online library was encrypted, and the sick pervert used a reference to child abuse as his password. A former Wakefield inmate has said Watkins never showed any remorse and remained a ‘self-centred loner’ before he was killed in prison last weekend.
Insiders have said that after being locked up, his weight yo-yoed, and hair dye from the prison shop was the only thing keeping his thinning hair jet black. Yet, the proud paedo kept a deluded fan base of young women during his time inside.
He was reportedly even allowed regular visits from three ‘goth groupies’ and was spotted holding hands and giggling with his visitors. A sickened onlooker claimed they once saw him kissing one fan.
Watkins hoarded 600 pages of letters from different women, some including sexual fantasies. At his trial, the court heard that Watkins was a master manipulator and used his frenzied fan base of young women to gain access to children, including babies.
In 2019, Watkins had another 10 months added to his sentence for possessing a mobile phone in jail, which he used to contact a woman he was previously in a relationship with. The subsequent court case revealed grim details of his time inside.
Watkins used the phone to contact his former girlfriend, who first met him when she was 19. They had been in a relationship, but she cut contact in 2012.
Speaking about possible repercussions following his case, Watkins accurately predicted his own grim fate. “Chances are someone would sneak up behind me and cut my throat. It’s not like one-on-one. Stuff like that, you don’t see it coming.” In 2023, Watkins was brutally attacked by three other inmates and nearly died as a result of his injuries.
It’s almost time for one of the biggest nights in the music calendar to begin, as the Mercury Prize 2025, hosted by Lauren Laverne, kicks off in just a few hours.
The prize, which has been running since 1992, when it was won by Primal Scream’s Screamadelica, aims to champion the album format as well as new music in the UK and Ireland across an eclectic range of genres.
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What do the artists win?
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Meet the judges!
The Mercury Awards are dished out following the decision of an independent judging panel of music professionals. It includes musicians, journalists, broadcasters and producers.
They based their decisions on the musical merit of the 12 albums that have been shortlisted to the ‘Albums of the Year’ with one overall winner.
This year, the juding panel include Jamie Cullen, Phil Alexander, Sian Eleri, Lea Stonhill, Will Hodgkinson, Danielle Perry, Jeff Smith and Sophie Williams.
The Mercury Prize judges for 2025 (Getty Images)
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CMAT says Irish music success comes from ‘generation of trauma’
Irish singer CMAT has said her music success has stemmed from a “generation of traumatised people”. She is nominated alongside fellow Irish act Fontaines DC for her album Euro-Country.
Before the awards ceremony, CMAT told PA news agency their success came as a result of “a lot of bad fruits coming to harvest”. She said: “I think that this is a bit of a generation of traumatised people that are getting to make music now.
“I wish I could pinpoint it to anything else, but it’s just the fact that everything is coming up through the rafters so quickly, and there’s a lot of artists from a very small, not very densely populated country, making a lot of music that feels quite important, as opposed to trivial.
“I think everybody is a bit earnest and has had their head screwed on a little bit because we all went through something 20-odd years ago my age group (the 2008 Irish economic downturn referenced on her album), and we’re now really dealing with the fall-out and the repercussions of it.”
CMAT has spoken of her success (WireImage)
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Mercury Award nominee CMAT helped by Beyoncé
CMAT is favourite to win big tonight and she believes Beyonce has played a huge part in her success. The Irish singer has credited Beyonce with opening the door for different types of country music.
CMAT, real name Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, explained: “Beyoncé winning a Grammy (this year) for it is particularly interesting, and I think is a really good sign of how she’s opening it up to so many other people, because this is a woman who got it really badly in the neck from the Country Music establishment in 2016 when she brought the Dixie Chicks out – or the Chicks out – at the Country Music Awards.
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Who won the Mercury Prize last year?
English Teacher beat off stiff competition from the likes of Charli xcx and The Last Dinner Party to be crowned the winners of the 2024 Mercury Prize.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror on Friday, ahead of their War Child gig in Liverpool, the band reflected on how surprised they were to win for their debut album, This Could Be Texas.
“We definitely didn’t know we would win, and we didn’t prepare a speech as well,” they recalled.
“We thought if that on the off chance that we did win, we would just wing it and it would be fine, and it was. I think we got quite a few compliments from that speech!”
English Teacher revealed that CMAT, who is nominated for her third LP Euro-Country, is their tip to take home the prize this year. You can read more about our chat with the band here.
English Teacher were big winners last year (Getty Images)
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How to watch the Mercury Prize on TV
If you’re not lucky enough to be inside Newcastle’s Utilita Arena this evening, fear not – you can see all the performances and see the winner be announced live on TV.
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Who is nominated for the 2025 Mercury Prize?
Britpop band Pulp, Irish singer CMAT and singer-songwriter Sam Fender are among the artists whose albums have been nominated for the 2025 Mercury Prize.
Fontaines DC, Wolf Alice, FKA Twigs, PinkPantheress, Pa Salieu, Emma-Jean Thackray, Jacob Alon, Joe Webb, and Martin Carthy complete the 12-artist shortlist.
Pulp, who won the prize in 1996 for their album Different Class, have been nominated for More, their first album in more than 20 years. The group were also nominated in 1994 for His ‘N’ Hers, and in 1998 for This Is Hardcore.
CMAT could win big tonight (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)
United States President Donald Trump has threatened to break the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas if the Palestinian group continues to target gangs and alleged Israeli collaborators in Gaza.
“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” Trump wrote in a social media post on Thursday. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
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The statement appears to signal an about-face from Trump, who earlier this week expressed support for Hamas’s crackdown on gangs in the Palestinian territory.
“They did take out a couple of gangs that were very bad, very, very bad gangs,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday. “And they did take them out, and they killed a number of gang members. And that didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you. That’s OK.”
There have been deadly clashes reported between Hamas and armed clan members in Gaza, who have been accused of looting humanitarian aid and working for Israel.
After the fighting on Sunday, the Interior Ministry in Gaza issued general amnesty for gang members who did not participate in the bloodshed.
In June, Israeli officials admitted to arming Gaza gangs, some of which have ties to ISIL (ISIS), in an effort to destabilise Hamas.
On Sunday, gunmen from a Gaza gang linked to Israel killed prominent Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi, according to local forces.
Earlier this week, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Hamas over accusations that the group executed suspected Israel collaborators, calling the purported killings a “heinous crime”.
“What happened represents a crime, a flagrant violation of human rights, and a serious assault on the principle of the rule of law,” Abbas’s office said in a statement.
Under Trump’s ceasefire plan, Hamas would disarm and end any role in the governance of Gaza. But it is not clear whether the group has agreed to these conditions.
The truce has largely held since coming into effect on Saturday. But Israel has repeatedly violated the agreement, killing Palestinians daily under the justification that they approached areas under the control of the Israeli military, which are not clearly marked.
Israeli has also threatened to once again restrict humanitarian aid to Gaza, accusing Hamas of failing to return all the bodies of the captives it held. And it has refused to open the Rafah crossing between the Palestinian enclave and Egypt, to facilitate movement in and out of the territory.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson gave 12-year-old fundraiser Luke Mortimer the shock of his life when he surprised him with an invitation to the Pride of Britain Awards
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Luke Mortimer pictured with actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson(Image: Philip Coburn/Daily Mirror)
As Luke Mortimer stood next to the 6ft 5in wax figure of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, he admitted: “He is shorter than I imagined.” Those would have been brave words from the 12-year-old if he’d been in front of the real thing. As he realised when he came face-to-face with the Hollywood actor just a few hours later…
The star of blockbuster hits Moana and Jumanji surprised Luke with the exciting news he has been named Child of Courage at the the 2025 Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, with P&O Cruises. Luke, who battled meningitis at the age of six and had to have all his limbs amputated, was astonished to find himself gazing up at The Rock.
“You inspire a lot of people, including me now,” Dwane told the young fundraiser, who has undertaken a series of incredible physical challenges for charity.
The emotional moment took place after Luke, from Skipton, North Yorks, had been out for a special day in London with his dad, Adam, as a treat for the amazing work he has done to help others. This included a trip to the world-famous Madame Tussauds museum, where he had his first encounter with The Rock that day.
Posing next to the true-to-size wax figure of his celebrity idol for a picture, he revealed that he would never tell the Hollywood star how much taller he expected him to be if he was ever to meet him in real life. “He would knock me out,” Luke laughed.
Later, Luke and Adam were taken to a fancy hotel where they were to stay the night – and decided to order some room service. “Could I have two double smash beef burgers please?” Luke confidently requested, completely unaware of who was at the other end of the call.
Hiding in a room nearby, 53-year-old Dwayne was taking his order and preparing to give the young lad, who has raised over tens of thousands for charity by climbing mountains, the surprise of a lifetime. He told the lad: “We’ll be there shortly.”
Moments later, the professional wrestler-turned-movie star, who is currently promoting his newest film The Smashing Machine, walked into Luke’s room – food trolley in tow. With the joy and shock of the moment written all over his face, young Luke managed to keep his cool and met the star with a fist bump.
Dwanye said: “Good to meet you, I heard a lot about you, I heard that you climb mountains, so there is no challenge too big for you.” He continued: “Luke, I am not here just to deliver your room service, I am here to deliver some very, very, very exciting news. I have the honour of saying you have won a Pride of Britain Award. Congratulations.”
Stunned to silence by the news, Luke shook his head in disbelief. “I’m like your biggest fan, maybe literally,” The Rock told the inspirational boy, quipping about the height comment he had made earlier at the museum.
Luke said after the magic moment: “The only way to describe it would be gobsmacked. If you told me I was meeting him this morning, I would have told you you were crazy.”
Contracting meningococcal meningitis septicaemia in 2019, Luke needed both of his legs and arms amputated to save his life. After six months in hospital and 23 operations, he eventually went home – but his life had changed forever.
He recalled: “When I came home, everything was physically hard, but there is also the emotional aspect of it. I was scared of what people would think of me, I was worried if my life would be the same. It was very tough at that time.”
Determined to not let what had happened hold him back, and vowing to “quit whining and just do it”, in 2023 the schoolboy summited the 656ft tall Embsay Crag mountain, near Skipton, raising more than £26,000 for charities including LimbPower and Children in Need.
A year later, Luke, his mum Christine and brother Harry, 15, climbed Pen-y-ghent, where they met Adam and a 19-strong team of climbers who had summited six mountains in the UK as part of Luke’s fundraising efforts. They raised almost £20,000 to help fund prosthetics for Luke and help other children with amputations through the Amp Camp Kids charity.
Luke, who has since taken part in further challenges and has hope for more in the future, reflected on his day with The Rock. He said: “It did take a while to sink in that I had got the award – I was like, this cannot be real. On a scale of one to 10 of amazing, this was 100.”
Luke receiving his Child of Courage award will be one of the highlights of the Pride of Britain Awards, which celebrate the unsung heroes of this country.
Tune in to watch this and many more magical moments on ITV next Thursday at 8pm.
Meanwhile, Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks promise “pure chaos” on the red carpet at this year’s Pride of Britain Awards.
The best friends turned podcast hosts will once again be presenting the red carpet livestream, and admit that anything can happen on the night.
“Every red carpet with Sam is pure chaos,” says Pete, 36. “I like a plan, and he doesn’t have a plan – so you can imagine the carnage each time!”
But the pair will also have their tissues ready as they prepare to meet the incredible winners, who Sam, 33, hails as “the real heroes”.
“Pride of Britain is genuinely our favourite night of the year, because it’s all about the everyday heroes and people who wouldn’t usually be recognised,” he says.
“The winners are so selfless and it’s really important the industry turns to honour them.
“To hear their stories, and messages of hope always brings tears to our eyes without fail. It is truly an honour to present the red carpet and personally meet each winner.”
Last year’s Child of Courage winner, nine-year-old Florrie Bark, recently joined Sam and Pete for a special episode of their Staying Relevant podcast – and predictably stole the show.
“Florrie is so wonderful, funny and brave, and both Sam and I think she is amazing,” says Pete.
“We invited her to co-host the podcast with us – she is very special and we can’t wait to see her again this year.”
Florrie will be back again this year, after bringing a group of new friends with her to meet Katy Perry at London’s O2 on Monday night.
She will be hosting her own ‘Tea Time with Florrie’ segment on the red carpet this coming Monday (October 20) – and no doubt encouraging the celebs to reach into their pockets to support her award-winning charity BeMoreFab, which helps other children living with cancer.
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Sam and Pete will also be joined by podcast legend GK Barry – who, along with Pete, was on this year’s judging panel for the awards, and will be reporting live from the red carpet.
Tune in to the Pride of Britain red carpet livestream on Monday October 20 from 5pm on all socials using @prideofbritain
Irish singer-songwriter CMAT emerges as the frontrunner for Best Album at the Mercury Prize Awards in Newcastle tonight with her third record, Euro-Country
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Singer CMAT tipped to beat Sam Fender in his hometown at Mercury Prize Awards(Image: William Dax / SWNS)
The stars are gearing up to attend the Mercury Prize tonight at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, and Irish singer-songwriter CMAT is emerging as a clear favourite following the release of her third album, Euro-Country.
Bookmakers have placed her at the top of the odds, citing her distinctive sound and growing international profile.
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, professionally known as CMAT, first gained attention during lockdown with her clever country-pop storytelling and her early tracks combined humour, heartbreak, and candid reflections on life, quickly building a devoted fan base across Ireland.
CMAT has described herself as a “big fat pop star,” a title that reflects both her playful self-awareness and her growing popularity. Supporting indie artist Sam Fender on tour helped extend her reach, but her rise was already underway thanks to her unique voice and lyrical wit.
READ MORE: Mercury Prize nominations in full as huge 90s band make comebackREAD MORE: Irish singer CMAT reschedules UK tour after infected wisdom tooth requires surgery
Euro-Country, her third album, marks a progression in CMAT’s sound, blending country-inflected pop with indie sensibilities and sharp social commentary.
The record explores themes of loneliness, identity, and relationships, while maintaining a cheeky edge. Tracks like Take a Sexy Picture of Me and Stay for Something exemplify her music style, which can be described as candid, humorous, and occasionally chaotic – but always deeply personal.
The album’s production mixes traditional instruments like acoustic guitars with contemporary pop and electronic touches, creating a sound that is both familiar and fresh, which has made her music go viral on TikTok and beyond.
CMAT’s ability to balance light and dark themes has contributed to her expanding international following. In the UK, Europe, the US, and Australia, her music resonates with audiences who appreciate its honesty and unpredictability.
Bookmakers highlight the album’s sharp lyricism and the way CMAT addresses emotional vulnerability with wit, making Euro-Country a strong Mercury Prize contender.
Her biggest hit, Take a Sexy Picture of Me, has gone viral on TikTok, sparking a dance challenge that has generated over 169,000 posts.
Celebrities including Lola Young, Julia Fox, Amelia Dimoldenberg, and Liz Gillies have all attempted the routine, calling it the “woke Macarena.”
Despite the playful reception online, CMAT emphasises the track’s underlying seriousness. “If we’re dealing with a song that’s as dark as this, and as grim as this, we have to make it a bit funny,” she said.
“The thing with this song was, I wanted it to sound joyous and uplifting to sing, but also to be a bit of a rallying cry.”
This year’s nominees for the Mercury Prize Awards were announced on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds by Lauren Laverne this morning. The twelve nominees are the ‘Albums of the Year’, but the overall winner will be unveiled tonight.
Among the albums nominated is Pulp’s More, which is their first album in more than 20 years. The rock band, which rose to prominence back in the 1990s, hadn’t released a studio album since 2001 prior to the release of More in June this year.
This year marks the first time that the Mercury Prize moves beyond London. Organisers have said that the relocation to Newcastle, in partnership with Newcastle City Council and The North East Combined Authority, “signals a new dawn” for it.
The Albums of the Year for the Mercury Prize 2025 are:
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has signed a new contract at Everton that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2029.
The 31-year-old joined the Toffees from Sunderland in 2017 for £30m, a British record fee for a goalkeeper at the time.
His previous deal at Everton had been set to expire in 2027.
“I’m over the moon and it gives me the opportunity to build a legacy for myself here, move forward and build this club to where we want to be,” Pickford said.
“Everton is a really special club to me. Coming from Sunderland as a young lad and growing into a man here, it’s been a special time for me and my family.
“I think the dark days are behind us and it’s about building that momentum as a team and the club now.”
Pickford has made 326 appearances since arriving on Merseyside, been the club’s player of the year four times and won all 80 of his England caps while an Everton player.
The news comes as a further boost to Everton, who tied captain James Tarkowski down to a new two-year agreement earlier this month, with the club having made an encouraging start to the Premier League season.
“The new owners have come in and have shown they want to move us forward, the manager since he has come in has shown that, too, and us as players on the pitch,” Pickford added.
“We’ve started well and we want to keep building that momentum and get Everton back to a team that competes in Europe.
“We want to have that direction and, hopefully, one day we’ll lift some silverware as well.”
Pickford has kept a record nine consecutive clean sheets for England, and not conceded at international level for more than a year.
He also remains hopeful that his time at Everton will be spoken of in the same breadth as Neville Southall.
Widely regarded as the club’s greatest goalkeeper, former Wales international Southall also holds the record for the most number of appearances for Everton with 751 in all competitions.
“I want to keep building that legacy,” Pickford added.
