Lostprophets announce split after 'year of heartache'

The Lostprophets have announced their split after a 'year of heartache' (PA)

Welsh band Lostprophets, whose frontman Ian Watkins is standing trial for sex offences, have announced their split.

The group, who have been together since 1997, announced the news on their Facebook page.

The band said in a statement: “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.”

The statement was signed “Jamie (Oliver), Lee (Gaze), Luke (Johnson), Mike (Lewis), and Stu (Richardson)”.

Watkins, 35, faces 24 sex offence allegations, including raping a baby and possessing an extreme image of a person having sex with an animal.

He appeared in a plea hearing at Cardiff Crown Court in June when he denied all separate sex offences.

He is due to stand trial next month for the charges, which also include possessing, making and distributing indecent images of children.