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Ian Huntley's death sparked cheers from inmates inside HMP Frankland where the double child killer was attacked. A source from the top security prison in Durham said football chants could also be heard.

The unnamed source told the Daily Star Huntley was one of the most despised inmates inside the prison because he considered himself a "celebrity". They said: "Every morning prisoners would be shouting, 'Is he dead yet?' and that would be followed by, 'Three cheers for Russell'."

Durham Constabulary confirmed on Saturday (March 7) that Huntley died in hospital after being attacked in the workshop of the maximum security prison.

The 52-year-old suffered severe brain trauma in the attack at HMP Frankland on February 26.

His life support was switched off at lunchtime on Friday after brain tests showed he was in a vegetative state, The Sun reported.

Murderer and rapist Anthony Russell, 43, reportedly attacked Huntley, who murdered Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2002.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the girls' murders remains one of the most shocking and devastating cases in the country's history.

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Huntley had been on life support in hospital after being hit repeatedly over the head by an inmate armed with a metal bar.

Durham Constabulary said in a statement on Saturday: "A man who was attacked at HMP Frankland in Durham last week has died in hospital this morning.

"Ian Huntley, 52, was taken to hospital with serious injuries following an incident in the workshop on the morning of Thursday February 26.

"A police investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing. A file is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration for charges."

At the time of the murders, Huntley was living with Maxine Carr, who was a teaching assistant at Holly and Jessica's primary school.

He denied murdering the 10-year-olds, but was convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2003.

Carr gave Huntley a false alibi and was jailed for 21 months for perverting the course of justice. She is now living under a new identity.

The former school caretaker's life sentence recommended he serve at least 40 years for the Soham murders.

Russell was sentenced to a whole-life tariff in 2021 for the murders of Julie Williams, 58, and her son David Williams, 32, at separate flats in Coventry, and pregnant 31-year-old Nicole McGregor, who was found in woodland near Leamington Spa three days later. Russell also raped Ms McGregor.