Bill Bailey gets 'Strictly' good luck from Emma Thompson, while Kate Garraway supports Ranvir Singh

Strictly Come Dancing’s dark horse Bill Bailey has surprised viewers once again - this time, with his team of famous supporters.

In semi-finals week, the contestants were shown getting messages of good luck from family and friends, but none were more starry than comedian Bailey’s cheerleaders.

His dance partner Oti Mabuse gasped in surprise as Love Actually star Emma Thompson appeared in a video message wishing the pair well.

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She said: “Bill, it’s Em.

“Greg (Wise) and I are right behind you, we’re know you’re going to win, we’re so positive.”

He also received good luck messages from the Sugar Hill Gang whose song Rapper’s Delight he danced to earlier in the series, and comedian friend Rich Hall.

But a message from his niece, a midwife at Newcastle’s RVI hospital, meant the most to Bailey.

He said: “That was so touching, she’s a frontline worker, so for her to have taken the time to do that means a great deal.”

Another celebrity contestant who was touched by her messages of support was Ranvir Singh, who had an emotional reaction to a video from Good Morning Britain colleague Kate Garraway.

Garraway’s husband Derek Draper has been fighting COVID-19 for months and at one point was even in a medically induced coma.

She has been absent from her usual presenting duties recently, but took the time to wish Singh good luck.

She said: “This is unbelievable. I mean it’s not though, is it, because you are unbelievable.

“We all know you’re amazing and now the world knows it too.

“Hope you get to the final, but whatever happens, you are the absolute winner of this series.”

Singh said: “We all know what she’s going through, she typifies what everyone’s going through this year, so it’s so wonderful that she found time to think of me.

“That is her all over, thank you so much to Kate, that meant so much.”

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