ANN Widdecombe paid a visit to the Channel Islands in her final TV appearance where she gave a scathing verdict on those who “moan” about Brexit.
The former Tory MP, who famously appeared on Strictly, had attended a Ladies Lunch club in Jersey as a guest speaker just weeks before her death, aged 78.
Speaking to ITV, she joked Reform UK and the namesake Reform parties in the Channel Islands were “slightly different”.
And when asked to give one piece of advice to candidates for the region’s forthcoming elections, she said: “Tell the truth”.
“The public doesn’t want you to tell them what you think they want to hear.”
Addressing residents’ concerns on the Islands about the impacts of Brexit, Widdecombe stressed the importance of “sovereignty”.
“I’d say to them that I believe that Britain should make its own laws, control its own borders, should make its own trade deals which it’s been doing since Brexit.”
She went on to say that “there are huge Brexit benefits” and hit back at those who “moan” about queuing at airport e-gates with her hallmark candour.
“We’re the nation that endured the Blitz, we fought for six years to be free and now you’re saying that it’s worth giving up our sovereignty so you can get through the e-gates quicker? I mean spare me, spare me!”
Widdecombe also spoke of her time on the eight series of Strictly Come Dancing, having appeared on the show in 2010 when she was partnered with Anton du Beke.
She danced her way through to week nine, providing some hilarious performances along the way.
She said: “Strictly led to a live tour with Craig Revel Horwood, that led to pantomime, that led to an appearance at the Royal Opera House and it just didn’t stop!”
After retiring from Parliament in 2010, Widdecombe went on to swap the Commons for the ballroom before appearing in ITV favourite Celebrity Big Brother, where she finished runner-up to Aussie singer Courtney Act.
Issuing a statement, her management said: “It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
“Her life and career were driven by her strong Christian values and commitment to public service.
“She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving Parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK.
“Ann was a valued patron of many causes, particularly her animal charities
“As Ann once said on The Graham Norton Show, ‘we get one go this side of eternity, one go.
“‘Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it, that’s my philosophy’.”
“We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends. We ask that the family’s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.”
Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP in her Maidstone constituency for over two decades between 1987 and 2010.
The outspoken ex-MEP also spent time as Education Minister and Prisons Minister in then Prime Minister John Major‘s cabinet.
In 2019, she sensationally quit the Tories and defected to Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party.
She most recently supported Reform and served as the party’s justice and immigration adviser.
Tributes have flooded in from across the world of politics, including from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
He wrote: “When Ann Widdecombe decided to stand for The Brexit Party in the snap 2019 European Elections, it was a big moment and huge boost.
“The voters loved her. She played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line and will be missed by us all.”
Widdecombe’s former Tory colleague Nadine Dorries hailed her as “Aunty Ann” in a touching tribute on X, calling her “an incredible parliamentarian”.
Reform deputy leader Richard Tice said the news of Ann’s passing was “devastating” and described her as “absolutely fearless”.
