He was griefstricken when his mother died

The past few weeks have been turbulent for him since the death of Freda Woodward, following an illness in Las Vegas.

Jones said he was initially so grief-stricken that he was unsure what commitments he could honour. But, he said he felt it important to attend the awards and pay tribute to the woman who played a key part in his life.

My sister called me and said mam had gone Tom Jones

"I talked to my sister and she said 'mam would have wanted you to do to the Brits'," he told BBC Radio Wales' Kevin Hughes.

"She was very proud of the awards that I have had over the years.

"I have been feeling better as the days have gone on and the shock of it all was going away and the realisation was setting in, so I thought I will do it.

"If I can pluck up the nerve, I will (dedicate the award to her), but I do not want to be sad. I do not want to have a sad feeling on the show.

Tom at a performance with Pavarotti

"If I can put it into words properly, then I will do it."

After his mother's death, Jones immediately cancelled a series of shows in Las Vegas and spent time with his family.

"She had been sick for quite a while, so I was half expecting it.

"My sister called me and said mam had gone. That day, I was devastated. It hits you hard when it happens.

"I cancelled the week in Vegas and wanted to know how I was feeling."

Jones also spoke of his plans to buy a home again in Cowbridge, south Wales and his hope of making time to be at the Wales v England Six Nations match on Saturday.

"When I come to promote a record, I have so much to do. It is hard to find the time to do things that have not been scheduled."

Jones roused the Welsh team with a pre-match song before their terrific 32-31 victory over England at Wembley four years ago.

And reflecting on Wales' terrible 30-22 defeat at the hands of Italy, the star urged the Welsh players to do their best against England.

"You have play like a proper Wales team; I hate it when Wales lose in Wales."