Nigel Farage Duped Into Paying Tribute to Late Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins on Cameo

Nigel Farage was tricked into honoring convicted offender Ian Watkins in a surprising Cameo video tribute.

A Shock Cameo Tribute Sparks Controversy

If you thought political gaffes were limited to speeches and debates, think again. Nigel Farage, the outspoken leader of Reform UK, recently found himself at the center of a bizarre online prank that had him unwittingly paying tribute to one of the most notorious figures in rock and criminal history: Ian Watkins, the disgraced Lostprophets frontman.

Farage recorded a 30-second video on Cameo, the popular celebrity shoutout platform, under the impression he was honoring a different, presumably innocent, Ian Watkins. Instead, the video was a personal tribute to the late convicted child sex offender who died in Wakefield Prison in October.

The Video That Shocked Everyone

In the bewildering clip, Farage earnestly says:

“This message is to pay tribute to Ian Watkins, a good man, a really good guy who was very much in contact with me, who loved his children and will be sorely, sorely missed by them forever.”

He continued with a strange mix of sentiment and a cryptic phrase:

“He will always hold a very special place in everybody’s heart. And remember what he always said, ‘mad lolz’ – well, I’ll tell you what, that does just about sum up the world, doesn’t it? Sorry for your grief, but please try and keep some happy memories.”

The clip quickly made waves on social media, with pranksters and fans alike sharing it widely.

“Lovely tribute from Nigel Farage”
— Kunt and the Gang, Twitter

The Man Behind the Prank Speaks Out

John Smith, the prankster who orchestrated the deception, revealed how simple it was to fool Farage. Inspired by a previous Cameo prank where Farage was tricked into chanting a controversial slogan, Smith requested a video message “on behalf of a late friend called Ian Watkins and his family.”

Smith expressed disbelief that Farage didn't catch on:

“Getting the video was simplicity itself... I am concerned that he could not see through my frankly paper-thin deception and his willingness to do anything for money without even a rudimentary check.”

He added a sharp jab:

“If he would do this for a small amount of money, what would he do for paymasters with deeper pockets?”

Farage himself reacted to the prank with humor, telling a UK media outlet:

“Thank him for the money. There are lots of Ian Watkins. Tell him to send more. I did alter his request.”

Who Was Ian Watkins? A Dark Chapter in Rock History

For those who might need a refresher, Ian Watkins’ story is a grim one. The Lostprophets singer was convicted in 2013 of 13 sex offenses, including attempted rape of a baby, conspiracy to rape a child, and multiple counts related to child sexual assault and possession of indecent images. He received a 29-year sentence.

His death in prison last October was violent, with two inmates charged in connection to the killing. This dark background makes Farage’s unwitting tribute all the more striking and controversial.

Farage’s Troubled Public Image

This incident isn’t the first time Nigel Farage has found himself at the center of public ridicule. Last year, punk icon John Lydon likened him to:

“someone you would meet at a fairground who says ‘do you want to buy one of these watches.’”

Farage has also been criticized by musicians like Billy Bragg for making Islamophobic remarks. These moments paint a picture of a man frequently tangled in controversy, both politically and culturally.

Final Thoughts: When Politics Meets Pranks

It’s hard not to cringe at the whole scenario—Nigel Farage, a figure so polarizing already, inadvertently lauding one of rock’s darkest figures. It’s a wild intersection of politics, celebrity culture, and internet mischief that perfectly encapsulates today’s unpredictable digital landscape.

Will this prank make Farage more cautious? Or will he continue to take money for Cameo clips without double-checking requests? Only time will tell.

FAQ

• What was Nigel Farage tricked into doing?
  Farage was tricked into recording a tribute video for Ian Watkins, the disgraced Lostprophets singer and convicted sex offender.
• Who is Ian Watkins?
  Ian Watkins was the lead singer of Lostprophets who was convicted of multiple child sex offenses and died in prison in 2025.
• How did the prankster fool Nigel Farage?
  The prankster, John Smith, simply requested a tribute for a “late friend named Ian Watkins,” without mentioning the man’s dark past.
• Has Nigel Farage done Cameo videos before?
  Yes, Farage has previously made videos on Cameo and was also tricked last year into chanting a controversial slogan.
• What was Farage’s reaction after learning about the prank?
  He responded humorously, thanking the prankster for the money and joking about receiving more requests for tribute videos.

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