Oscar stars nervy but the show will go on

Organisers of this year's Oscars are growing increasingly worried that Hollywood's most glitzy awards ceremony will be overshadowed by the outbreak of war in Iraq.

The Academy Awards are to take place on 23 March, six days after the latest deadline proposed by the US and Britain for Saddam Hussein to disarm.

And several people, including stars nominated for awards, are extremely nervous in case they are called to thank their agents and their mothers even as the first bombs are raining down on Baghdad. "It would seem obscene if we're seen bouncing up the red carpet grinning when people are dying," said Daniel Day-Lewis, who is nominated for best actor for Gangs of New York. "It's going to be very difficult to find a way to do this."

The producer of the awards show, Gil Cates, said he saw no reason to postpone the ceremony, but added: "If we are at war, the Oscar telecast will reflect that reality."