Former Conservative MP and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her remote Dartmoor bungalow on Thursday, July 11, 2026, with her body undiscovered for approximately 24 hours. The 78-year-old had sustained serious injuries and was discovered in a pool of blood in her kitchen.
Discovery and Timeline
Police were called to Widdecombe's home in Haytor, Devon, at around 11:40 a.m. on Thursday by the ambulance service. Investigators believe she was attacked at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10. She had last been seen alive during an interview for Talk TV at around 8 a.m. on Wednesday but failed to appear on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show at 1 p.m. that same day. A TV researcher sent her a message at 12:48 p.m. requesting she join a Zoom call, but received no reply, and her phone went unanswered.
Suspect and Police Investigation
A 26-year-old white male was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released from custody. Devon and Cornwall Police stated they do not believe the incident is terror-related. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said, 'Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined. Detectives continue to carry out numerous inquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.' He added that the investigation is 'moving at a significant pace' and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Who Was Ann Widdecombe?
Ann Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP for the Kent constituency of Maidstone (later Maidstone and the Weald) from 1987 to 2010, holding several ministerial positions under Prime Minister Sir John Major. After leaving the Commons, she appeared on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, partnered with Anton du Beke, and reached the semi-finals. She later joined Nigel Farage's Brexit Party in 2019 and served as an MEP for South West England from 2019 to 2020, becoming immigration and justice spokeswoman for Reform UK. She remained active in media, appearing on TalkTV on the day before her death.
Personal Life
Widdecombe had no children and was openly celibate. She once said, 'I think that the brute truth is that I've enjoyed being alone. I love my own company. I'm the best company I know – I mean, I can make myself laugh uproariously.'
Ongoing Investigation
A cordon remains around Widdecombe's remote bungalow in Haytor. Police have set up a major incident public portal for information, images, or footage. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers. The family has asked for privacy as they come to terms with the incident.
