FORMER Tory MP Ann Widdecombe has died aged 78.
While her career was in , it is perhaps what she did after – including iconic and appearances – that gained her the most fans.
Ann Widdecombe had iconic appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Anton Du Beke Credit: BBC
Insiders hailed her as ‘one of Strictly’s most memorable and hilarious contenders’ Credit: BBC
served as a in her Maidstone constituency for over two decades, was appointed Education Minister and then Prisons Minister in then Prime Minister ‘s cabinet.
But after retiring from in 2010, Ann swapped the Commons for a string of memorable TV appearances…
1. Strictly Come Dancing – Dalek in drag
Her 2010 run on Strictly Come Dancing with partner was the stuff of TV legends.
Despite being fondly dubbed the “worst” dancer in Strictly , it was said she “boosted viewing figures.”
She survived week after week thanks to the public vote while being dragged and lifted across the floor in bright, flamboyant costumes.
One particularly memorable comment was her being likened to a ‘Dalek in drag’ by judge Bruno Tonioli after failing to impress with her American Smooth.
Dressed in gold trousers and a red jacket, the politician received the lowest score ever for the American Smooth after she was lifted up four times by her partner Anton Du Beke.
2. Strictly Come Dancing – ‘Yellow Hoover’ Paso Doble
Ann, wearing a bonkers yellow frock, was likened to a hoover by Bruno Tonioli Credit: PA
One of her most viral moments came during a Paso Doble to “Wild Thing.”
Dressed in a neon-yellow frilly dress, she was literally dragged across the floor by Anton.
Judge famously remarked that she looked like “an appliance… a hoover or something.”
She took it all in stride, with Strictly insiders – and viewers – becoming a huge fan of her performances.
Ann took to the high wires as she ‘flew’ across the ballroom for the Children in Need edition of Strictly Come Dancing Credit: PA:Press Association
A show insider said: “Ann has always been one of Strictly’s most memorable and hilarious contenders.
“Her endearingly hapless moves had the nation falling in love with her back when she was on the show with Anton and they boosted viewing figures by a mile.”
Ann also appeared on the Children in Need edition of Strictly Come Dancing where she flew onto the dancefloor on wires.
3. Celebrity Big Brother – Hair straightening incident
Celebrity Big Brother fans were left in stitches as Ann struggled to straighten her hair Credit: Channel 4
Following Strictly, in 2018, Ann entered the Celebrity house, and her no-nonsense traditionalist attitude often contrasted to her younger housemates.
During the series Ann embraced her feminine side in the reality house, and encouraged housemates to give her a makeover, and attempted to glam up for the evenings.
However, it wasn’t without some difficulty.
In one hilarious clip, Ann struggled to get her hair straight with a pair of straighteners ahead of a live show.
Viewers were left were left begging their TVs for someone to give her a helping hand.
One wrote: “I love #cbbann trying to straighten her hair, bless her, I laughed but also felt guilty too. Ann is growing on me.”
Others joked it was a symbolic moment and said: “Ann trying to use the hair straighteners represents all of us in the world right now, none of us have a f***ing clue.”
4. Celebrity Big Brother – Housemate clash
Ann had a differing of opinion on marriage with drag queen Courtney Act Credit: refer to caption.
Ann famously clashed with drag queen while appearing on Celebrity Big Brother – and had one moment that proved very divisive.
The ex-politician and author was seen with Shane Gilberto Jenek (whose alter-ego is Courtney).
Sitting down together Shane asked Ann why she had voted against pro-LGBT legislation in parliament.
Ann told the openly gay performer that she felt that marriage could only be between a man and a woman.
She said: “If marriage suddenly is no longer between a man and a woman, and it’s between a man and a man or a woman and a woman, then why not between one man and two women? Why not polygamy?”
The pair made it to the final two together, with Courtney taking the crown with 49.43 per cent of the final vote, while Ann received 39.50 per cent.
5. The Celebrity Chase – Jay-Z as a ‘Loo Cleaner’
Ann had no clue who Jay-Z was – despite him having won over 20 Grammys at the time Credit: ITV
In 2019, Ann appeared on The Celebrity Chase, alongside comedian and children’s TV presenters Sam & Mark, in a bid to win £100,000 for .
When faced with Chaser Jenny “The Vixen”, Ann faced a multiple-choice question about which hip-hop artist had won the most Grammy Awards, out of Jay-Z, Ludacris and .
Ann, a staunch social conservative who openly avoids modern pop culture, was bewildered, and replied: “I haven’t got the faintest idea.
“I thought Jay-Z sounded like a type of loo cleaner!”
To top it off, Ann’s completely random guess actually turned out to be the correct answer (Jay-Z had won over 20 Grammys at the time).
6. Doctor Who – as herself
Anne Widdecombe appears in Dr Who as herself in an episode called ‘The Sound of Drums’ 2007 Credit: BBC
In 2007, Ann starred on BBC’s Doctor Who in the episode ‘The Sound of Drums’.
In the cameo role, the politician starred as herself in a fictional television news segment.
The scene showed her broadcasting a political endorsement supporting the villainous Harold Saxon, who was actually the Master masquerading as the UK’s Prime Minister.
7. The Graham Norton Show – her positive life view
Ann was praised for her outlook on life on Graham Norton Show in 2010 Credit: Alamy
Ann appeared on Graham Norton’s famous sofa in 2010 following her memorable Strictly stint.
She was asked by the TV host if she felt sad that her “political legacy” might have been “totally wiped out by flying around in some yellow tights?”
However, she had an inspirational answer for Graham that racked up over 125,000 views.
She shared: “I’m not at all saddened by it for this reason. None of us know how long we’re going to live. I could die tomorrow.
“But I could, if I followed my mother, for example, live another three decades.
“I do not know what’s going to come up and what I’m going to do in that time.
“So I may be remembered neither for politics nor for Strictly, but for something else that I can’t even foresee at the moment.
“And we get one go this side of eternity, one go. It’s not a dress rehearsal.
“It’s one go. And you make the most of it. And you take opportunities that come along that you like. And you go for it.
“And that’s my philosophy.”
Graham praised her life outlook, and said: “Well said.”
Statement from Ann Widdecombe's management
Issuing a statement, her management said: “It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
“Her life and career were driven by her strong Christian values and commitment to public service.
“She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving Parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK.
“Ann was a valued patron of many causes, particularly her animal charities.
“As Ann once said on The Show, ‘we get one go this side of eternity, one go.
“‘Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it, that’s my philosophy’.”
“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.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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