British politician Nigel Farage has found himself at the center of controversy after being duped into recording a Cameo video that paid tribute to the late LOSTPHOPHETS vocalist Ian Watkins.
Farage, who currently leads the UK Reform UK party, was reportedly unaware that the request referenced the disgraced musician, whose child sex crimes were among the most notorious in British music history. Watkins died in prison in October 2025, a development that brought his name back into headlines just months ago.
According to a report by Metro, an individual paid Farage £98 through Cameo to record the video, submitting the request under the pretense that it concerned a fictional person named Ian Watkins. Despite the obvious associations surrounding the name, Farage completed the request and delivered the message as written.
The script Farage read on camera stated: “This message is to pay tribute to Ian Watkins, a good man, a really good guy who is very much in contact with me. He loved his children and will be sorely, sorely missed by them forever. He will always hold a very special place in everybody’s heart.
“Remember what he always said ‘Mad Lolz’, well, tell ya what, that just about sum up the world doesn’t it?’
“Sorry for your grief but please try and keep some happy memories.”
The inclusion of the phrase “Mad Lolz” raised particular alarm, as Watkins had previously referenced his crimes in a letter to a fan using the phrase “mega lolz.”
When informed that he had been deceived, Farage responded dismissively. Speaking via Metro, he said, “Thank him for the money. There are lots of Ian Watkins. Tell him to send more. I did alter his request.”
The individual behind the Cameo request, identified by Metro as John Smith, said he was surprised the video was approved at all.
He explained: “I was inspired by the lads that got him to say ‘Up the Ra’ and wondered if he would go for it. Getting the video was simplicity itself, I just asked him to do a video on behalf of a late friend called Ian Watkins and his family.
“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. If he would do this for a small amount of money, what would he do for paymasters with deeper pockets?
“I hope to show the world that Farage is a man who will do and say anything for whoever is paying him. I suspect he has no actual ideology and will follow the path to power that offers the least resistance. If I could speak directly to him I would ask why he did not do even a rudimentary check? Will he blindly accept what he is told by the Kremlin, the White House or anyone with £70 going spare for a Cameo?’”
You can see the video below.
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