GETTING POLITICAL
Who is Ann Widdecombe?
Find out how far she made it when she appeared on Strictly
ANN Widdecombe first found fame when she became a prominent member of the Tory party.
After retiring from politics, she switched to TV and has her own documentary on Channel 5 called The World's Most Luxurious Prison.
3
3
Born on October 4, 1947, Ann Widdecombe is the former Conservative MP for Maidstone.
Her father, James Murray Widdecombe CB OBE, was Head of Naval Supplies & Transport, Ministry of Defence.
Ann served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010 and was also a member of the Conservative Christian Fellowship.
Always a vocal politician, she famously remarked about Michael Howard that "there is something of the night about him", leading him to be satirized as a vampire ever since.
Read More on Ann Widdecombe
A question many people ask is whether Ann is related to comedian and Last Leg host Josh Widdecombe.
Despite the pair sharing a last name, they are not related.
She is an accomplished author, with several novels, autobiographies and works of non-fiction to her name.
Political stance
Ann retired from politics at the 2010 general election and has appeared on TV and radio in her retirement.
Most read in news
In 2019, she sensationally quit the Tories and defected to Nigel Farage's Brexit Party.
That same year she branded Theresa May the worst Prime Minister since Anthony Eden.
Jeremy Vine viewers rip into 'nasty' Ann Widdecombe for 'talking rubbish' - raging 'why is she still on TV-!'
Ann caused a stir when she joined the other Brexit Party MEPs turning their back during the EU anthem.
Become a TV star
Ann's most memorable appearance was in the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing.
She was partnered with Anton du Beke in 2010 and danced her way through to week nine, providing some hilarious performances which garnered public support.
3
In 2018, Ann entered Celebrity Big Brother where she was runner-up to Courtney Act.
The former politician has also been on shows such as Celebrity Fit Club, 24 Hours In The Past and ITV's Sugar Free Farm.
Ann is also known for her documentaries, which includes Channel 5's The World's Most Luxurious Prison.
Topics