Speaking to ITV chat show host Michael Parkinson, the star said he was not "advocating" the drug for everyone. "Nobody ever came home stoned and beat up their wife, " the 43year-old former Wham! singer said.

Earlier this month he pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs after he was found slumped over the wheel of his car in a London street.

He blamed his behaviour on the death of his mother, Lesley, in 1997. "I know I have a very self-destructive tendency since my mother died, I have got to be honest. That has kind of made itself clear in other ways."

Despite the star awaiting sentencing at the end of the month, he claims he did nothing wrong.

"Ultimately I didn't break the law.

I did something stupid, and doing something irresponsible is not a position that I am normally used to defending myself in, " he said.

Michael, who began his European tour in Denmark on Friday, will become the first artist to play the new Wembley Stadium next month.

The interview will be broadcast on ITV1 tonight.