Strictly Come Dancing decide, Anton Du Beke, was partnered with former Tory MP and Reform UK spokesperson, Ann Widdecombe, on the BBC collection again in 2010
Strictly star, Anton Du Beke, has paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe following the information of her demise at the moment. The previous Tory MP, 78, was partnered with the ballroom legend on the present again in 2010 when she made it by way of to week 9 due to her sheer grit and comedy attraction.
After Strictly, Anton praised the controversial character, saying he had vastly loved dancing with the previous Reform UK spokesperson. After waltzing across the dance flooring sporting a pair of knee-length leggings beneath her frocks, the Celeb Match Membership star developed a gentle spot for the father-of-two, who would go on to turn out to be Strictly’s decide.
Praising Ann at the moment as followers reacted to information of her demise, Anton stated: “Hello, my loves, the saddest of reports we’ve heard at the moment of the passing of the beautiful Ann Widdecombe. I had essentially the most good time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing.
“She grew to become an actual buddy. She was enjoyable, she was upbeat, she was optimistic, she was supportive, she was recreation – she wished to enter into the spirit of the entire thing and we had an unbelievable time collectively.
“On behalf of myself and the entire @bbcstrictly household, we’re devastated by the information and our ideas exit to her nearest and dearest and her complete household. We are going to all bear in mind her fondly and miss her. Anton x.”
Regardless of her fixed low marks from the judges, the previous MP received the assist of viewers on Strictly, incomes her a powerful 9 weeks on the present, performing routines strongly flavoured by comedy, earlier than she was eradicated.
Giving us some erasable recollections, together with certainly one of Ann actually being dragged across the dance flooring by an open-mouthed Anton within the Charleston, the star can be remembered as one of many present’s most entertaining opponents.
Ann not too long ago revealed she “insisted on” sporting leggings that matched her a number of brightly colored outfits to dodge wardrobe malfunctions when Anton whirled her across the dance flooring.
Writing in her column for Finest journal, she stated: “I used to be the dresser’s nightmare on Strictly. I insisted on knee-length matching leggings beneath my attire in order that Anton might throw me about with out both of us fearing a wardrobe malfunction.”
In August 2024, Anton – who changed Bruno Tonioli, 70, as decide in 2021 – stated Ann was a “outstanding” dance associate. Throughout an look on BBC Breakfast, he recalled: “We had essentially the most good time, and I can say that about all of my companions.”
Ann’s demise was confirmed on Friday in an announcement from her administration, which learn: “It’s with nice unhappiness that at the moment we announce the demise of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
“We ship our deepest condolences to Ann’s household and pals. We ask that the household’s want to not be contacted at this unhappy time is revered.”
After failing to turn out to be Conservative chief in 2001, Ann stayed within the public eye with outstanding TV appearances. They included a Louis Theroux particular in 2002, Celeb Match Membership the identical 12 months, and a memorable run on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, when she partnered with Anton to outlive 9 weeks of competitors.
The MP additionally had a memorable run on Celeb Massive Brother, ending runner-up. Making fairly the doorway, Ann received over viewers regardless of her controversial feedback about homosexual marriage and convicted intercourse offender, Harvey Weinstein.
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