Good Morning Britain presenters Ranvir Singh and Kate Garraway delivered a breaking news announcement on Friday, 10 July 2026, revealing the death of politician Ann Widdecombe at the age of 78.
The former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman died aged 78. A statement from her agents read: "It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of The Right Honourable Ann Widdecombe, DSG." It continued: "We send our deepest condolences to Ann's family and friends."
Life and career driven by Christian values
The statement noted that her life and career were "driven by her strong Christian values and commitment to public service" and that she loved the "cut and thrust of political debate" and was "still actively campaigning for Reform UK" after leaving Parliament 16 years ago. "For many, of course, she will be best (or worst?) remembered for her unforgettable appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, defying the judges week-after-week as the public delighted in her unsuccessful attempts to follow the choreography of the long-suffering Anton Du Beke," it added.
Ann was a runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018 and reached the semi-finals of Strictly in 2010.
Breaking news on Good Morning Britain
Opening the headlines, Kate Garraway said: "The breaking news that we're bringing you this morning is that the former minister MP and MPE Ann Widdicombe has died at the age of 78." Ranvir Singh continued: "A long time Conservative politician, she later joined the Brexit party in 2019 which then became Reform UK. She also, you'll well remember, gained public attention and some endearment of course for taking part in Strictly Come Dancing."
Reporter David Harper added: "Just before we were coming on air, a very familiar face in British politics really, as well known outside of Westminster as she was inside."
Political career and later life
David Harper detailed her career: "Her father worked for the Ministry of Defence, she was born in Bath but spent a lot of her childhood travelling around, spent quite a bit of time in Singapore growing up but it was when she got to Oxford University really that her political career really ignited. She stood twice for Westminster, was eventually elected as Conservative MP for Maidstone in 1987 and as we've been saying, was quite a vocal voice towards the right of British politics right from the beginning."
"She brought in a private members bill to look at amending the abortion act, and when John Major became Prime Minister, she was promoted, and became a Minister, eventually in the Home Office, quite famously fell out with Michael Howard Home Secretary, that comment about him having something of the night about him got a lot of media attention."
After the Conservatives lost the 1997 election, she became a fixture in William Hague's shadow cabinet, serving as shadow Health Secretary and later shadow Home Secretary before stepping down at the 2010 General Election. She later returned to politics as an MEP for the Brexit Party in 2019, serving until Britain left the EU.
Tributes and reaction
Concluding the segment, Kate Garraway said: "We haven't heard about a long illness, have we? So I think it took everybody a little bit by surprise. I think she was even still doing various broadcasting things up until recently." David Harper confirmed: "We really knew nothing about this until this morning."
Ranvir Singh said: "She lived a full life, you can certainly say that. Sad news there that Ann Widdecombe has passed away."
