Anton Du Beke has described the death of Ann Widdecombe as the 'saddest of news' in a heartfelt tribute to his former Strictly Come Dancing partner. The former MP and MEP died on Friday, July 10, 2026, at the age of 78, her management confirmed.
Ann Widdecombe's Political Career
Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP for the Kent constituencies of Maidstone and later Maidstone and the Weald from 1987 to 2010. She held several ministerial positions under Prime Minister Sir John Major and was a prominent Eurosceptic, supporting the Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum. In 2019, she joined the Brexit Party and served as an MEP for South West England until 2020. She later became a member of Reform UK in 2023, acting as the party's immigration spokesperson.
Strictly Come Dancing and Tributes
Widdecombe appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, partnered with Anton Du Beke. The pair survived until the semi-finals, largely due to public votes, despite often receiving low scores from the judges. Her management's statement noted she was 'best (or worst?) remembered for her unforgettable appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, defying the judges week after week.'
In a video shared on Instagram, Anton Du Beke said: 'Hi my loves, the saddest of news we’ve heard today of the passing of the lovely Ann Widdecombe. I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing. She became a real friend. She was fun, she was upbeat, she was positive, she was supportive, she was game - she wanted to enter into the spirit of the whole thing and we had an incredible time together.' He added: 'On behalf of myself and the whole @bbcstrictly family, we are devastated by the news and our thoughts go out to her nearest and dearest and her whole family. We will all remember her fondly and miss her.'
Later Appearances and Legacy
Widdecombe later appeared on Celebrity Big Brother. Her management described her as 'a consummate professional and a delight to work with, indefatigable to the last.'
