Ann Widdecombe, the former MP and MEP, dies aged 78

Former MP Ann Widdecombe, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, has died at the age of 78, her representatives have said.

The politician-turned-TV personality, who later became an adviser to Reform UK, died on Friday.

A statement from her management said: ‘It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.

‘We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends. We ask that the family’s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.’

Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone from 1987 until she stood down at the 2010 general election.

During Sir John Major’s government she held several ministerial posts, including roles at the Department of Employment and the Home Office, where she was responsible for prisons and immigration.

After leaving the Conservatives, Widdecombe joined Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party in 2019 before backing Reform UK in 2023.

Most recently, she served as the party’s justice and immigration adviser.

Away from politics, Widdecombe became a TV star following her memorable appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.

Partnered with Anton Du Beke, she regularly finished near the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard but became a fan favourite and survived for 10 weeks thanks to the public vote.

The politician is also known for her viral moments on Celebrity Big Brother, which she appeared on in January 2018.

She also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, guest-hosted Have I Got News For You and featured in Louis Theroux’s 2002 documentary When Louis Met… Ann Widdecombe.

Throughout her political career, Widdecombe was known for her outspoken socially conservative views, including her opposition to abortion and expanding LGBT+ rights.

She was also involved in a number of high-profile political rows, most famously describing then Home Secretary Michael Howard as having ‘something of the night about him’ during a bitter Conservative Party feud.

Born Ann Noreen Widdecombe in Bath on October 4, 1947, she studied at the University of Birmingham before reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.

She worked for Unilever and the University of London before entering Parliament in 1987, remaining one of the Conservative Party’s best-known and most recognisable MPs for more than two decades.

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