GB News presenter Andrew Pierce struggled to hold back tears during Ann Widdecombe's funeral at Buckfast Abbey in Devon on Wednesday, August 12. About 100 family, friends, and colleagues attended the service for the former Tory minister, who was found dead on July 8 aged 78.
Emotional Service at Buckfast Abbey
Reporting live from Devon, Andrew told viewers he "struggled to hold back tears" during the "moving" ceremony. He explained: "It's been a remarkably emotional day as you can imagine. The family wanted it to just be family and friends. It was a requiem mass at Buckfast Abbey. Most Sundays, she would be here at mass. Very close to her home at Widdecombe's rest on Dartmoor where she met that terrible death."
Andrew continued: "Her nephew, Roger, a Church of England vicar spoke for many when he said, 'none of us can understand the nature of the death. None of us can digest the shock of what happened.' Of course we can't." He added: "I was struggling to hold the tears back."
Tributes and Eulogy
The former Good Morning Britain contributor later described the funeral as "wonderful" before speaking to Christian Sweeting, who delivered a "moving" eulogy during the service. The order of service featured tributes from the Rev Roger Widdecombe and Sir Christian Sweeting, a close friend.
An earlier statement from the Abbey Church described Ann as someone who would be "missed and fondly remembered", adding that "many in our worshipping community knew her as a kind and warm character". "Ann was a woman of profound faith, a faith which found expression in the public forum of politics," it said. "Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith. She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant."
Legacy and Memorial
Widdecombe, who later became a Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead with serious head injuries at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor. She was a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing. A public memorial honouring Ann is set to take place later this year.
