The band’s frontman was arrested in connection with a string of sex offences last year, and is estimated to have earned an estimated £100,000 in royalties since.
Despite the band’s songs being banned on many radio stations and in HMV, the 36-year-old, who last month pleaded guilty to attempted rape of a baby amongst other charges, is expected to continue raking in the royalties.
Music lawyer Craig Brookes explained:
“The biggest income stream will almost certainly be publishing which, even if radio play has stopped, will still be pretty big.
“So you're going to get money for plays in gyms and hairdressers and on juke boxes and all that stuff. They will say, 'This is how much music is in the market place so it is likely you are due this amount.' He will also get a publishing cut for any play Lostprophets have anywhere.
‘There will be another spike when he gets sentenced, in terms of money generated - because of clips when the story breaks, then there will be a spike in online activity’
“The records could be earning a substantial amount. It could easily have translated to £100,000 or £200,000 extra sales. It could be over £100,000 easily. It could be less, but there will be another spike when he gets sentenced, in terms of money generated - because of clips when the story breaks, then there will be a spike in online activity.”
Watkins is due to be sentenced in court on Wednesday.