Ann Widdecombe, the former MP and one-time Strictly Come Dancing star, has died at the age of 78.
The ex-Conservative minister, who later became an advisor to Reform UK, died on Friday (10 July), her management announced.
“It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG,” they wrote in a statement.
“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 an MP for Maidstone between 1987 and 2010 and held several positions in Sir John Major’s government, including roles at the Department of Employment and the Home Office.
After leaving the Conservatives, she became a member of the Brexit Party from 2019, and joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in 2023 as its immigration and justice spokesperson.
Away from the political world, she appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 alongside her professional partner Anton Du Beke, becoming a fan favourite thanks to her entertaining routines.
Their most memorable performance was perhaps their paso doble, in which Widdecombe’s moves were likened to a human cleaning appliance being dragged across the floor.
The pair ultimately finished in sixth place thanks to the public vote.
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Other TV appearances included guest-hosting Have I Got News for You, featuring in Louis Theroux’s 2002 documentary When Louis Met… Ann Widdecombe, and appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.
Widdecombe was also known for her socially conservative views. She was a longstanding opponent of abortion and assisted dying, and was criticised for her comments on homosexuality in 2019.
She frequently appeared as a political pundit on news and current affairs shows, and was seen as recently as this week on streaming TV channel Talk.
Authors
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
