Boris Johnson's girlfriend Carrie Symonds tweets clapping emojis as UK hails NHS heroes for third week in Clap for Carers

Boris Johnson's girlfriend Carrie Symonds has tweeted clapping emojis as the UK hailed its NHS heroes for a third straight week.

She accompanied her post with a painted picture of a rainbow.

The Clap for Carers initiative returned again this evening as it emerged the PM was out intensive care as he battles coronavirus.

Emergency services joined in the applause with police officers and firefighters clapping on Westminster Bridge in London to salute local heroes.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputising for the Prime Minister who remains in hospital, joined Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Foreign Office staff for the weekly Clap for Carers.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted a picture of himself clapping, adding: “A huge THANK YOU to our incredible NHS & social care staff. We can never thank you enough for all that you are doing for the nation #ClapForCarers”

New Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also took to Twitter saying: “Another fantastic tribute to our NHS staff and care workers. Thank you. #ClapForCarers”.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted a picture of herself clapping, adding: “Made it home in time tonight to join my neighbours in the #ClapForOurCarers #ClapForTheNHS #StayHomeSaveLives”

Gary Lineker joined in with the applause and called for the NHS to be appreciated in this way "long after this nightmare is over".

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted a video of Bethnal Green firefighters applauding NHS workers, and said: “We stay at home for London’s heroes We follow the rules for London’s heroes We clap for London’s heroes #ClapForOurCarers #LondonTogether”.

Blue-lights from a row of fire engines and police vehicles on Westminster Bridge lit up the outside of St Thomas’ Hospital during the national round of applause for healthcare workers at 8pm.

More than 10 emergency vehicles, including several boats on the Thames, one spraying jets of water, performed the display as dozens of police and firefighters applauded.

It was visible to staff at the London hospital, which faces Parliament, and where Prime Minister Boris Johnson is preparing to spend a fourth night as he receives treatment for Covid-19.

One firefighter, who gave her name as Mo, from Lambeth, told PA the display was an act of “solidarity with our fellow workers”, adding: “We’re all one family.”

She added: “There’s a lot of bad stuff going on in the world, so it’s nice to do something all together, everyone up and down the country.”

Earlier today celebrities including Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Tom Hiddleston paid tribute to the NHS with a special video.

The celebs were joined by stars including Billie Eilish, Danny Dyer, Dame Julie Walters, Simon Pegg, David Walliams and Gary Barlow, who sings at the piano, in a clip in which they all say “thank you” to those working on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus.

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