Police in England said a 26-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of murder in the death of Ann Widdecombe, a former British Member of Parliament and a familiar and polarizing presence on UK reality TV shows Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Big Brother and many others.
Widdecombe’s body was found Thursday with what officials describe as “serious injuries” at her home in Dartmoor, Devon, an area of South West England. She was known for her hard-right, pro-Brexit, anti-LGBTQ stances, but Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said her suspected killing was not believed to be an act of terrorism nor politically motivated. Police said the suspect is a white British national, but they did not identify him or a possible motive.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement, “This is really shocking news, and my thoughts, I think all of our thoughts, will be with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this awful time for them.”
Widdecombe was a Conservative MP from 1987-2010 for the Kent constituency of Maidstone and became a member of the pro-Brexit Reform UK party from 2019 and served as a Member of the European Parliament in 2019 and 2020.
Her outspoken right-wing conservatism made her a familiar and frequent presence on UK news programs, and she crossed over into mainstream entertainment fare by participating in such programs as Celebrity Fit Club, Have I Got News for You, quiz show Cleverdicks, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Big Brother and others. In 2007 she appeared as herself in an episode of Doctor Who.
Widdecombe certainly was no stranger to controversy, even on the reality shows. In 2018 on Celebrity Big Brother she criticized Meghan Markle in terms that were widely interpreted as racist.
“I think she’s trouble,” Widdicombe said in a conversation with a housemate about the future Duchess of Sussex. “Background … attitude, I worry. I add it all up and I’m uneasy.” The comments were featured in Netflix’s 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan.
Anton Du Beke, Widdecombe’s dance partner on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and now a show judge, posted a video on social media today calling her death the “saddest of news.”
“I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing,” Du Beke said. “She became a real friend, she was fun, she was upbeat, she was positive, she was supportive, she was game, wanted to enter into the spirit of the whole thing. We had an incredible time together.
“This is a sad day,” he continued, “and I’m devastated by the news of Ann’s passing but I shall remember her fondly and miss her.”
