SIR Anthony Hopkins has spoken for the first time about the death of his mother, pictured.

Muriel Hopkins, who was landlady of The Ship Inn at Caerleon for many years, died in the United States in July, aged 89, after contracting a blood infection.

Speaking at the International Film Festival in Toronto, Sir Anthony said he had been prepared for her death.

"She was as strong as an ox, with tremendous recuperative powers but I knew this time she wasn't going to recover," he said.

Mrs Hopkins had moved out to America to live with her son a few years ago. She died 11 weeks ago.

Sir Anthony, who dedicated his 1991 Oscar for The Silence of the Lambs to his mum, said that he believed she'd had a great life.

He said: "She was 89 and she loved it here in California. She came to my film sets and went to see Bill Clinton at the White House."

And just as his proud mother would have wanted, Sir Anthony will be busier than ever this year.

He is set to star alongside Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie in Oliver Stone's epic Alexander and as Gwyneth Paltrow's dad in Proof.