Shock as death of iconic Strictly star and ex MP announced

The agents for Ann Widdecombe have announced that the 78-year-old sadly died yesterday, Thursday, July 9.

In a statement Cloud9 Management said: “It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of The Right Honourable Ann Widdecombe DSG.

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“We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends.”

Ms Widdecombe was a Conservative MP between 1987 and 2010 for the Kent constituency of Maidstone, later Maidstone and the Weald, and held several ministerial positions in Sir John Major’s government.

Strictly Come Dancing partners Ann Widdecombe and Anton du Beke reunite (Image: Alamy/PA)

She left the House of Commons in 2010 but remained active in politics serving as a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party.

In 2023 she joined Reform UK and the party’s leader Nigel Farage has shared a tribute on social media.

He said: “When Ann Widdecombe decided to stand for The Brexit Party in the snap 2019 European Elections, it was a big moment and huge boost. The voters loved her.

Then shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe making an impassioned key note speech to delegates at their party conference in Blackpool (Image: Phil Noble/PA Wire)

“She played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line and will be missed by us all.”

Ms Widdecombe read Latin at Birmingham University before studying philosophy, politics and economics at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, where she was involved in the Oxford Union.

While there she had embarked on a three-year romance, ending it in order to focus on her career.

Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage with former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe (Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

Otherwise she claimed to have no interest in sex, and never married.

In her post-Commons career she appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 partnered with Anton du Beke, and survived until the competition’s semi-finals thanks to the public vote.

Cloud9 Management added: “For many, of course, she will be best (or worst?) remembered for her unforgettable appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, defying the judges week after week as the public delighted in her unsuccessful attempts to follow the choreography of the long-suffering Anton Du Beke.”

Ann Widdecombe and Anton du Beke going through their routine at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Others have also expressed their tributes.

Broadcaster Piers Morgan said: “A wonderfully no-nonsense, straight-talking, highly-opinionated British battle-axe.

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“Ann was always a very feisty, combative interviewee, but always great fun too. Amid so many dreary politicians, she was a charismatic, combative gem.”

Associated Editor of the Jeremy Vine show, Kevin Maguire, said: “Saddened and shocked at the sudden death of Ann Widdecombe, 78, the Reform politician and former Conservative MP and Minister plus, of course, star of Strictly and panto

“Disagreed on most things but she was kindly and I enjoyed clashing and pulling her leg on the Jeremy Vine show.”