FEEDER frontman Grant Nicholas, has revealed he came close to quitting the award-winning rock group after the death of the band's drummer Jon Lee earlier this year.

Nicholas, from Pwllmeyric, near Chepstow, said: "I did come close to quitting. I did not think people would accept us without Jon. It was tough deciding whether to carry on."

The Gwent star was speaking at the inaugural Pop Factory Music Awards that will be screened on HTV1 Wales on Friday.

Nicholas was there to pick up the Best Pop Factory Performance Award for the explosive Come Back Around. The group beat off competition from the likes of Travis, JJ72 and Atomic Kitten for the gong, fully justifying their decision to carry on making music.

"Jon would have loved it and would have been up there doing a longer speech than me. It's great to be back. It's been nice taking it one step at a time. We're not back on full form, but come next February we will be."

Feeder make their long-awaited return with a first UK tour since Newport-born Lee's tragic death. And the stand-out date for Welsh fans will be Mach 1 - St David's Day - when the group headlines at the Newport Centre.

Fellow Gwent rocker Nicky Wire, from the Manic Street Preachers, was also at the ceremony to pick up two trophies for the Best CD release, for their greatest hits album Forever Delayed, and the Outstanding Contribution to Music award.

Wire said he was enjoying life as a dad with his 14-week-old baby daughter Clara. He said: "Clara's lovely. She doesn't make a mess. She couldn't with me around."

Kingsley Ward, owner of Monmouth's world famous Rockfield Studios, was awarded the Contribution to the Welsh Music Industry award.