By Dan Warren BBC Sport at the Crucible

McGowan - he's rubber-voiced, he's a comedian and he's in Sheffield

If you're wandering the streets of Sheffield and you think you can hear footballer David Beckham, BBC newsreader Huw Edwards and comedian Angus Deayton having a chat - don't get too excited.

You may, in fact, have stumbled across impersonator extraordinaire Alistair McGowan practising his routines.

The rubber-voiced McGowan has been spotted in the vicinity of The Crucible theatre this week indulging in his legendary impressions.

Mind you, if you hear Gary Lineker, you might want to check it's not the real thing before dismissing it as a McGowan-ism.

After all, the England soccer legend is big chums with snooker superstar Willie Thorne. I've not seen Lineker up here, mind, so it probably is McGowan.

With seven-time champion Stephen Hendry seemingly certain to crash out, Scottish hopes of a world title win lie on the slim shoulders of Graeme Dott.

It's a tall order for the 27-year-old world number 13, but he received some warm words of encouragement on Friday.

The Rangers-mad Glaswegian was faxed a goodwill message from Rangers boss Alex McLeish.

It seems to be paying dividends, with Dott looking to have every chance of reaching the final as he holds a 13-11 lead over Matthew Stevens.

But on current form, it seems Stevens is a mere Partick Thistle to Ronnie O'Sullivan's Celtic in this year's tournament.

Scot Dott is proving to be a Yorkshire hot pot

While the semi-final between Graeme Dott and Matthew Stevens has been a pretty cagey affair, the Scot has registered a contender for fluke of the tournament.

Resuming 5-3 ahead, the Scot saw Stevens take the initiative in a scrappy opening frame - but the Welshman mis-hit a safety shot leaving a difficult long pot to the top left pocket.

Dott took up the challenge, saw the red bounce out of the jaws of the pocket, go flying towards the pack, cannon off another red and nestle beautifully in the top right hand pocket.