N-Dubz star Dappy becomes latest rapper to back politician running for leadership

Dappy throws his support behind Norman Lamb's bid to become Lib Dem leader, becoming another rapper to join allegiances with politicians after Tinie Tempah's alliance with Chuka Umunna

Dappy told reporters: "I feel amazing. It's a brand new me." (Getty)

Support for the Liberal Democrats may have collapsed in last week's election but the party will be able to count on an unlikely source of support - as long as leadership-hopeful Norman Lamb succeeds in his bid to replace Nick Clegg.

Why? Because the former N-Dubz rapper Dappy has thrown his support behind Mr Lamb, the former care minister who was one of the few Lib Dem MPs who escaped the party's mauling a the election, which saw all but eight of its MPs lose their seats.

Taking to Twitter this afternoon, he urged his fans to follow him in backing Mr Lamb to "help put power back in the hands of individuals":

His endorsement is not entirely surprising however, considering N-Dubz is managed by Mr Lamb's son Archie, who founded a talent agency along with Tinchy Stryder. Mr Lamb re-mortgaged his house to help finance his son's business venture.

Dappy joins another famous rapper in endorsing a party leadership contender. Tinie Tempah is a friend of Chuka Umunna, who is running to be Labour leader.

Chuka Umunna and Tinie Tempah are friends (Instagram/tiniegram)

Mr Chuka explained as much when the Evening Standard spotted him at a Tinie Tempah event last year: “Tinie and I are friends, we go way back,” he said. “We’re both Nigerian, both from south London. He’s from Peckham, I’m Streatham.”

Mr Lamb's celebrity endorsement has put the pressure on the favourite to win the Lib Dem leadership - Tim Farron - who joked on Twitter of his need to sign up fellow rapper Tinchy Stryder.

But Mr Farron's credibility with music and dance fans was immediately shored up after a supporter claimed he was capable of busting the moves on the dancefloor.