Jeremy Vine broke down in tears live on air on his Channel 5 programme after learning from guest Iain Dale that his late friend and occasional co-star Ann Widdecombe adored him. The 78-year-old former MP and Strictly Come Dancing star was found dead last week, hours after she was due to appear on Vine's show. A member of his team had been in contact with her on the day she died, but she failed to show up for the online interview.
Emotional Tribute on Air
Guest Iain Dale told Vine: "She loved coming on it. She loved your viewers and she loved you. You were part of her family and she really spoke very highly of you, and I know you went out of your way to be kind to her." Vine thanked him for his kind words and became visibly emotional as his voice began to crack. Looking down and away from the camera, the host's eyes started to fill with tears. Struggling to get his words out, he said: "Well, that is too much to hear today. Thank you so much, Iain. We are involved here because, on the day of her death, this office was in touch with her by chance."
Murder Investigation Upgraded to Counter-Terrorism
Today, counter-terrorism police confirmed they are now leading the investigation into the death of the former MP and Strictly Come Dancing star. Officers said "new information and evidence has come to light" and so the case is being led by the counter-terror team. A 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of Widdecombe's murder, and has since been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. This gives police the powers under the Terrorism Act to detain a suspect without charge for up to 14 days. Devon and Cornwall Police had previously faced a race against the clock to bring charges after the initial arrest.
Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, 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. We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack."
Forensic Search in Rotherham
Footage taken by the Mirror shows several forensic officers entering a property in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in relation to the investigation. Neighbours there have spoken of their shock. Widdecombe had appeared on The Jeremy Vine Show more than 50 times and also rarely said no when asked to appear on his Radio 2 programme.
Light-Hearted Memories
Last year, Widdecombe left viewers in fits of giggles on The Jeremy Vine Show when she wore a bucket hat and listened to Oasis "for the first time". She refused the offer of free tickets and said instead she much preferred Cliff Richard and The Shadows.
