Celine Dion and Prince were good friends

Prince used to ask advice from Celine Dion. Photos / Getty Images, AP

Prince once asked Celine Dion for advice about doing a Las Vegas residency.

The My Heart Will Go On hitmaker has revealed the late music legend - who died in April aged 57 - was keen to find out what it was like performing in Sin City on a long-term basis nowadays.

Celine recalled: "He asked me, 'How is it to perform in Las Vegas, and how is it really, because I'm thinking maybe to come, but I really want to know.' "

Despite asking Celine's advice about Sin City, Prince was no stranger to Vegas having played 40 shows there for his 'Per4ming Live 3121' residency show from November 2006 to April 2007.

The 48-year-old singer praised Madonna and Stevie Wonder after they performed a duet of his hit Purple Rain at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday evening.

Stevie Wonder and Madonna perform a tribute to Prince at the Billboard Music Awards. Photo / AP

Madonna, 57, also performed a song written by Prince, Sinead O'Connor's classic hit Nothing Compares 2 U.

Celine said: "I'm a big, big fan of Prince and Stevie Wonder and Madonna, of course ... I think Madonna and Stevie did a wonderful, wonderful tribute."

Celine admitted she loved spending time with Prince and he clearly felt the same as he once wrote a song about her.

Speaking to Extra about the Billboard Awards, she added: "All that, just added to the emotion of the night."

It was a particularly emotional night for Celine as she made her first televised performance at the Las Vegas ceremony since the death of her husband René Angélil, who was 73, in January.

She performed a rendition of her late husband's favourite song, Queen hit The Show Must Go On, and also broke down in tears during the ceremony when son René-Charles, 15, made a surprise appearance on stage to present her with the Icon Award.

She told the crowd at the T-Mobile Arena: "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for crying. I want to be so strong for my family and kids."

- Bang! Showbiz