BLUNT BACKS PRINCE HARRY AT WAR

JAMES BLUNT has praised British royal PRINCE HARRY for joining troops in combat in Afghanistan, insisting it's the least he can do as a soldier.

Blunt was a captain in the British Army before swapping his rifle for a guitar and a career as a crooner.

When asked if he was surprised about the heir's secret mission on U.S. TV show Good Morning America on Friday (29Feb08), Blunt replies, "Not at all. He's a regular soldier. He should be at least trying his best to bring some peace and stability to that part of the world."

Blunt also urged the public to pay less attention to celebrities, and more to serious world affairs: "We focus so much on the tabloids and celebrity culture, and there are so many things we should be dealing with at the moment and a few wars that are going on around the world that do need our attention."

The young prince, 23, is now being withdrawn from the war-torn country after news of his frontline service was leaked by foreign media.