Ann Widdecombe's home was featured on a national TV show days before she was found dead in a murder that police are treating as an act of terrorism. The former MP and MEP's bungalow in Haytor, Dartmoor, appeared in a repeat of Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House on Discovery+ on July 2, 2026. Just days later, the 78-year-old was discovered dead at the property with serious injuries.
TV Show Details
The episode, originally filmed in 2022, gave viewers an extensive look inside the property, including the front door, garden, library, conservatory, gym, kitchen, and dining area. Presenter Angus Ashworth evaluated items Widdecombe wished to sell, describing the home as being on the "idyllic Devonshire coast." Widdecombe told the show she loved the "peace, quiet and solitude" of her remote retreat.
Items Sold and Auction Results
Widdecombe sold several personal possessions, including her parents' Japanese Satsuma dish, a scarf, a bag, and a teddy bear. She earned £1,445 from the sale, with the Japanese plate fetching the highest sum at £660. The repeat aired on Quest at 6pm on July 2.
Murder Investigation
Devon and Cornwall Police initially investigated, but the case was later taken over by Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP). Head of CTP Laurence Taylor said: "Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation." He added: "We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack."
There is no suggestion the TV programme inspired or had any role in the murder. However, Widdecombe's episode has been removed from Discovery+ and is no longer listed in the series sequence. Clips remain available on social media.
Public Appeal
CTP appealed for anyone with information to contact police. Taylor said: "If anyone has any information, please share it with the police. We would like to thank local communities, the wider public and the media for their ongoing support." Quest TV, owned by Warner Bros Discovery, was contacted for comment.
