Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, who later became a television personality and adviser to Reform UK, has died at the age of 78, her representatives confirmed on Friday.
Political career and ministerial roles
Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone, later Maidstone and The Weald, 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, she 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.
Television fame and Strictly Come Dancing
Away from politics, Widdecombe found a new audience on television 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.
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.
Controversial views and political rows
Throughout her political career, Widdecombe was known for her outspoken socially conservative views, including her opposition to abortion and expanding LGBT+ rights. She was 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.
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.'
Early life and education
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 MPs for more than two decades.
