On a sporting front it is not the best time to be a Welsh rugby fan or Arsenal supporter.

The least said about Wales' Six Nations disaster the better (the inevitable England result aside) and Arsenal will finish trophyless for the second successive season.

And to make matters worse for tennis fanatic Aled Jones, he can not even take to the court after snapping his achilles just before Christmas, not only ruling him out of practicing his backhand, but also his panto stint in Jack and the Beanstalk at Richmond Theatre.

The Walking in the Air star said: "I don't know where it has gone wrong in the rugby, we lost our first couple of games in the Six Nations and it has just gone from bad to worse - we just have not turned up. It really is a shame.

"And being an Arsenal fan, it does not get much better for me - it is a sorry state of affairs."

At least Aled has his first love of music to lift his spirits.

The Welsh crooner is having one of the busiest periods of his career doing radio and TV work coupled with live performances.

"It is all go for me at the moment. I am recording a new album with the same producer who has worked with the likes Prefab Sprout and Kate Bush, so my music has changed direction slightly which I am excited about.

"I have just finished one of a series of documentaries where celebrities are asked to learn to play an instrument and I had to learn to play the rock drums, which culminated in me playing a set with a Led Zepplin tribute band."

Despite his stint as a drummer and his musical switch, Aled insists he is not deserting his spitual roots.

"The change in my musical style is not massive at all," he added. "It still has its spiritual background but with a slight twist."

Aled admits such a busy workload can eventually catch up with performers.

"I cannot say I really struggle as I am not doing as many shows as I had done last year. But when you are doing radio and TV work, as well as performing, it can get difficult," he said.

"It is definitely not easy. When you are doing a long tour, the start and the end of the tour is fine, but when you are mid-way through, you do think, will this ever come to an end?"

But the Welsh singer says there is one thing that pulls him through when he is on the road.

"The crew are like one big family and it's nice to have those people with me," he admitted.

Aled insists he does not hold a great deal of sympathy for performers who complain about being on the road.

"I'm not entirely sympathetic because at least they are doing what they want to do," he said. "Everyone gets tired and I do feel for them a little but it is their job so they have to get on with it."

Aled shot to fame in the mid-80s with Walking in the Air, the theme to the animated classic The Snowman, at the age of 15 and the Welshman has gone on to have a long career - where many other child stars before and after him have failed.

But the 36-year-old admits he sympathises with modern day stars who succumb to the pitfalls of fame and fortune.

He said: "I did not really feel any pressure when I was younger, it was only me and Pavarrotti doing this sort of music and people liked it. I think there is more pressure on today's young performers because you are only as good as your last song.

"What I would say to young performers is to find the fun side in what you do and do not take yourself too seriously."

  • The Best of Aled Jones; 8pm; Fairfield Halls; £20.50-£21.50; 020 8688 9291; fairfield.co.uk.