Madonna has dutifully appeared for jury service in New York yesterday but was relieved after less than two hours to avoid "creating a distraction" for the court.

The pop star arrived with an entourage of four and stayed in a separate room from other prospective jurors, but was not called to serve on any case.

David Bookstaver, the spokesman for the state court system, said her appearance and dismissal "really goes to show that everyone gets called".

This is the singer's second jury duty summons in just six years. She was also excused of her civic responsibilities at a Beverly Hills courthouse back in 2008. Madonna will now be excused from jury service in New York until 2020.