What's wrong with my azalea?

[BabaJohns]

Can anyone help me with my poorly azalea please? It is 3 years old and has flowered beautifully every year until now. It is brittle and the leaves come away easily when touched. It is browning all over and I assumed it was dead but if I cut a stem low down it is still alive (green) inside. Is it frost or sun damaged or diseased rather than dead? Rust? Shall I cut it right back and hope it rejuvenates? I can't see any flower buds so I don't think I've got much to lose by trying that, but any words of wisdom would be much appreciated. Annoyingly I have an annual competition with a relative for the best show as we bought them at the same time, I don't think I'll be winning this year!

Is it in a windy position? The shape it’s growing in seems like it might be windy
www.pennlive.com/gardening/2015/02/azaleas_are_brown_what_to_do_g.html

Or
How long has it been in that pot? Has it ever had additional compost/top dressing?
Has it been watered-more than just a can? I have a tiny pot out front, the water runs out the bottom without the whole pot getting wet soil so I’ve almost killed it off a couple of times, especially after a couple of sunny days.

Thanks for the reply Furlough! Apologies for a misleading pic, I had turned the pot to have a look at it, it was growing towards the sun hence it looks windswept. It's been in this pot for three years and had an annual mulch/top up and been fed with ericaceous food. It is highly possible that I haven't watered it enough in the early spring, winter was so wet I haven't been out much until the weather improved. I do have lots of pots though and nothing else has suffered so I have been watering enough for most things to survive. I will keep watering regularly now and hope for the best. Do you think I should cut it back? Thanks again!