JK Rowling is backing Susan Calman on Strictly

From Digital Spy

JK Rowling is most definitely Team Calman for this series of Strictly Come Dancing ahead of tonight's (September 23) first episode.

The Harry Potter author has given the Scottish comedian and her dancing partner Kevin Clifton her backing after posting a picture of herself out with the stars and friends.

"All the love & luck to @SusanCalman tonight from her superfans in Scotland!" Rowling captioned the picture on Twitter.

"Thank you all you gorgeous people xxx," Calman wrote in reply to the picture, before the author wrote back, "We love you, Calman. Go dance your tiny socks off xxx".

Rowling has been backing her friend all the way, previously supporting Calman when she was attacked by homophobic trolls on Twitter.

"When a man calls me a bitch, or someone is homophobic I reply. Because this lesbian bitch ain't standing for it," the comedian wrote on Twitter a few weeks ago.

"Stay fabulous, my dancing queen x," Rowling wrote back.

The Strictly star has been forced endlessly to defend dancing with a man this series, despite previous openly gay contestants never having the same level of scrutiny.

Most recently she emphasised that it was clear that it was her choice, writing: "And for the (hopefully) last time I wanted to dance with a man I am not being held hostage by the BBC. I'm still well gay and proud of it."

She also admitted to Digital Spy that she was hurt by the backlash, explaining: "For the gay community, specifically, there will be a time for same-sex dancing. I think what annoyed me slightly is that I seem to be getting it in the neck.

"Will Young didn't get it. Judge Rinder didn't get it. And [this year's contestant] Richard Coles isn't getting it! It seems to me, as a woman, that he's not getting it the same way I am."

Strictly Come Dancing begins tonight on BBC One.

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