A US marine's deployment to the Gulf has been delayed so he can continue competing on the American version of Pop Idol.

　　Lance Corporal Josh Gracin, 21, was scheduled to travel to Kuwait with his unit this week ahead of the expected war against Iraq.

　　But his mother says that when he was given the chance to appear on American Idol "higher authorities" intervened, the New York Post reports on Jan. 27.

　　Brenda Gracin, of Westland, Michigan, said: "American Idol had to work with Washington to get Josh out of the deployment."

　　He is due to sing on Jan. 29 after Simon Cowell heralded his performance of Frank Sinatra classic All or Nothing at All when his audition tape was screened last week.

　　Mrs Gracin said her son was not shirking his duty, and he will follow his unit out to the Gulf once his stint on the show is over.