Widdecombe reprised her pantomime performance, again with Revel Horwood, at the Swan Theatre, High Wycombe in December 2012. Widdecombe stepped in at short notice to play the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, at Bridlington Spa in December 2016.
The four-part series was aired from 28 April–19 May 2015 on BBC One and involved the celebrities experiencing life as workers in a dustyard, coachhouse, pottery and finally as workhouse inmates in 1840s Britain.
Widdecombe's maternal grandfather, James Henry Plummer, was born to a Catholic family of English descent in Crosshaven, County Cork, Ireland in 1874. She attended the Royal Naval School in Singapore, and La Sainte Union Convent School in Bath.
In the general election of December 2019 – as with all other candidates for the Commons fielded by the Brexit Party – she did not win Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, but retained her deposit and came third. ==Early life== Born in Bath, Somerset, Widdecombe is the daughter of Rita Noreen (née Plummer; 1911–2007) and Ministry of Defence civil servant James Murray Widdecombe.
Ann Noreen Widdecombe (born 4 October 1947) is a British politician, author and television personality.
This was well received by rank-and-file Conservative delegates. Over the years, Widdecombe has expressed her support for a reintroduction of the death penalty, which was abolished in the UK in 1965.
In 2011 she expressed the view that "climate change money should go to armed services". The previous year, she voted to support a parliamentary motion supporting homeopathy, criticising the Science and Technology Committee's Report on the subject. ===Homosexuality=== Widdecombe supported the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967 in England and Wales.
In 1971, she was the secretary of the Oxford Union for one term, and became its treasurer for one term in 1972; she never became president.
In 1971, she was the secretary of the Oxford Union for one term, and became its treasurer for one term in 1972; she never became president.
She worked for Unilever (1973–75) and then as an administrator at the University of London (1975–87) before entering Parliament. ==Political career== In 1974, Widdecombe was personal assistant to Michael Ancram in the February and October general elections of that year.
From 1976 to 1978, Widdecombe was a councillor on Runnymede District Council in Surrey. She contested the seat of Burnley in Lancashire in the 1979 general election and then, against David Owen, the Plymouth Devonport seat in the 1983 general election.
From 1976 to 1978, Widdecombe was a councillor on Runnymede District Council in Surrey. She contested the seat of Burnley in Lancashire in the 1979 general election and then, against David Owen, the Plymouth Devonport seat in the 1983 general election.
From 1976 to 1978, Widdecombe was a councillor on Runnymede District Council in Surrey. She contested the seat of Burnley in Lancashire in the 1979 general election and then, against David Owen, the Plymouth Devonport seat in the 1983 general election.
From 1976 to 1978, Widdecombe was a councillor on Runnymede District Council in Surrey. She contested the seat of Burnley in Lancashire in the 1979 general election and then, against David Owen, the Plymouth Devonport seat in the 1983 general election.
She served as the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Maidstone from 1987 to 1997 and for Maidstone and The Weald from 1997 to 2010.
She later said in 2000: "I do not believe that issues of equality should override the imperatives of protecting the young." In 2003, Widdecombe opposed the repeal of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988.
But that's up to the audience and the programme." ==Controversies== In 1990, following the assassination of the Conservative politician Ian Gow by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), the Eastbourne by-election for his seat in the House of Commons was won by the Liberal Democrat David Bellotti.
The fact is that hospitals are not secure places in which to keep prisoners, and since 1990, 20 women have escaped from hospitals".
In 1993, she was moved to the Department of Employment, and she was promoted to Minister of State the following year.
Widdecombe is now a practising Roman Catholic; she converted in 1993 after leaving the Church of England.
She served as Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department from 1995 to 1997 and Shadow Home Secretary from 1999 to 2001.
Upon the announcement, Widdecombe told the voters that the IRA would be "toasting their success". In 1996, Widdecombe, as prisons minister, defended the Government's policy to shackle pregnant prisoners with handcuffs and chains when in hospital receiving prenatal care.
She served as the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Maidstone from 1987 to 1997 and for Maidstone and The Weald from 1997 to 2010.
She served as Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department from 1995 to 1997 and Shadow Home Secretary from 1999 to 2001.
Widdecombe was appointed as a Privy Councillor in 1997. Ideologically, Widdecombe identifies herself as social conservative and stresses the importance of traditional values and conservatism.
Howard became the official party leader in 2003, and Widdecombe then stated, "I explained fully what my objections were in 1997 and I do not retract anything I said then.
Out of the 17 parliamentary votes between 1998 and 2008 considered by the Public Whip website to concern equal rights for homosexuals, Widdecombe took the opposing position in 15 cases, not being present at the other two votes.
She served as Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department from 1995 to 1997 and Shadow Home Secretary from 1999 to 2001.
She later said in 2000: "I do not believe that issues of equality should override the imperatives of protecting the young." In 2003, Widdecombe opposed the repeal of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988.
She served as Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department from 1995 to 1997 and Shadow Home Secretary from 1999 to 2001.
we have to look to the future and not the past." In 2001, when Michael Portillo was running for leader of the Conservative Party, Widdecombe described him and his allies as "backbiters" due to his alleged destabilising influence under Hague.
When interviewer Jenni Murray asked if she had ever had a sexual relationship, Widdecombe laughed "it's nobody else's business". In a 2001 report in The Guardian it was claimed that she had a three-year romance while studying at the University of Oxford.
Since 2002, she has made numerous television and radio appearances, including as a television presenter.
She notably spoke of her support for its reintroduction for the worst cases of murder in the aftermath of the murder of two 10-year-old girls from Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002, in the Soham murders.
On 3 July 2019 she used her maiden speech in Strasbourg to compare Brexit to slaves revolting against their owners and to a colonised country rising up against occupying forces, a stance which was criticised by members of both the European Parliament and the British House of Commons. ==Media work and appearances== In 2002 she took part in the ITV programme Celebrity Fit Club.
Also in 2002 she took part in a Louis Theroux television documentary, depicting her life, both in and out of politics.
She later said in 2000: "I do not believe that issues of equality should override the imperatives of protecting the young." In 2003, Widdecombe opposed the repeal of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988.
Howard became the official party leader in 2003, and Widdecombe then stated, "I explained fully what my objections were in 1997 and I do not retract anything I said then.
Widdecombe was among more than 20 high-profile people who signed a letter to Members of Parliament in 2015 to oppose David Cameron's plan to amend the Hunting Act 2004. She has expressed a variety of views on scientific issues such as climate change but has been opposed to legislation reducing emissions.
In March 2004 she briefly became The Guardian newspaper's agony aunt, introduced with an Emma Brockes interview.
She afterwards declined to serve in Iain Duncan Smith's Shadow Cabinet (although she indicated on the television programme When Louis Met..., prior to the leadership contest, that she wished to retire to the backbenches anyway). In the 2005 leadership election, she initially supported Kenneth Clarke again.
In 2005 BBC Two showed six episodes of The Widdecombe Project, an agony aunt television programme.
In 2005, she appeared in a new series of Celebrity Fit Club, but this time as a panel member dispensing wisdom and advice to the celebrities taking part.
Also in 2005, she presented the show Ann Widdecombe to the Rescue in which she acted as an agony aunt, dispensing advice to disputing families, couples, and others across the UK.
In 2005, she also appeared in a discussion programme on Five to discuss who had been England's greatest monarch since the Norman Conquest; her choice of monarch was Charles II. She was the guest host of news quiz Have I Got News for You twice, in 2006 and 2007.
At the October 2006 Conservative Conference, she was Chief Dragon in a political version of the television programme Dragons' Den, in which A-list candidates were invited to put forward a policy proposal, which was then torn apart by her team of Rachel Elnaugh, Oliver Letwin and Michael Brown. In an interview with Metro in September 2006 she stated that if Parliament were of a normal length, it was likely she would retire at the next general election.
She confirmed her intention to stand down to The Observer's Pendennis diary in September 2007, and again in October 2007 after Prime Minister Gordon Brown quashed speculation of an autumn 2007 general election. In November 2006, she moved into the house of an Islington Labour Councillor to experience life on a council estate, her response to her experience being "Five years ago I made a speech in the House of Commons about the forgotten decents.
In 2005, she also appeared in a discussion programme on Five to discuss who had been England's greatest monarch since the Norman Conquest; her choice of monarch was Charles II. She was the guest host of news quiz Have I Got News for You twice, in 2006 and 2007.
Her first appearance as guest host, in 2006, was widely regarded as a success.
The Catholic Church doesn't care if something is unpopular. In October 2006, she pledged to boycott British Airways for suspending a worker who refused to hide her cross.
She confirmed her intention to stand down to The Observer's Pendennis diary in September 2007, and again in October 2007 after Prime Minister Gordon Brown quashed speculation of an autumn 2007 general election. In November 2006, she moved into the house of an Islington Labour Councillor to experience life on a council estate, her response to her experience being "Five years ago I made a speech in the House of Commons about the forgotten decents.
In 2007, she wrote that she did not want to belittle the issue but was sceptical of the claims that specific actions would prevent catastrophe, then in 2008 that her doubts had been "crystalised" by Nigel Lawson's book An Appeal to Reason, before stating in 2009 that "There is no climate change, hasn’t anybody looked out of their window recently?" She was one of the five MPs who voted against the Climate Change Act 2008.
In 2005, she also appeared in a discussion programme on Five to discuss who had been England's greatest monarch since the Norman Conquest; her choice of monarch was Charles II. She was the guest host of news quiz Have I Got News for You twice, in 2006 and 2007.
Merton later revealed that he thought Widdecombe had been "the worst ever presenter" of the show, particularly on her second appearance where Merton claimed she "thought she was Victoria Wood". In 2007 she awarded the University Challenge trophy to the winners.
Since 2007 Widdecombe has fronted a television series called Ann Widdecombe Versus, on ITV1, in which she speaks to various people about things related to her as an MP, with an emphasis on confronting those responsible for problems she wished to tackle.
On 15 August 2007 she talked about prostitution, the next week about benefits and the week after that about truancy.
She shared her home in London with her widowed mother, Rita Widdecombe, until Rita's death, on 25 April 2007, aged 95.
In November 2007 on BBC Radio 4 she described how a journalist once produced a profile on her with the assumption that she had had at least "one sexual relationship", to which Widdecombe replied: "Be careful, that's the way you get sued".
In 2007, she wrote that she did not want to belittle the issue but was sceptical of the claims that specific actions would prevent catastrophe, then in 2008 that her doubts had been "crystalised" by Nigel Lawson's book An Appeal to Reason, before stating in 2009 that "There is no climate change, hasn’t anybody looked out of their window recently?" She was one of the five MPs who voted against the Climate Change Act 2008.
Out of the 17 parliamentary votes between 1998 and 2008 considered by the Public Whip website to concern equal rights for homosexuals, Widdecombe took the opposing position in 15 cases, not being present at the other two votes.
A fourth episode was screened on 18 September 2008 in which she travelled around London and Birmingham talking to girl gangs. In 2009, Widdecombe appeared with Archbishop John Onaiyekan in an "Intelligence Squared" debate in which they defended the motion that the Catholic Church was a force for good.
In March 2008, she purchased a house in Haytor Vale, on Dartmoor in Devon, where she retired.
When the expenses claims were leaked, however, Widdecombe was described by The Daily Telegraph as one of the "saints" amongst all MPs. In May 2009, following the resignation of Michael Martin as Speaker of the House of Commons, it was reported that Widdecombe was gathering support for election as interim Speaker until the next general election.
On 11 June 2009, she confirmed her bid to be the Speaker.
In 2007, she wrote that she did not want to belittle the issue but was sceptical of the claims that specific actions would prevent catastrophe, then in 2008 that her doubts had been "crystalised" by Nigel Lawson's book An Appeal to Reason, before stating in 2009 that "There is no climate change, hasn’t anybody looked out of their window recently?" She was one of the five MPs who voted against the Climate Change Act 2008.
This was amidst a homophobic campaign led by socially conservative critics of Portillo. In 2009, she partially defended Carol Thatcher's use of the racial slur golliwog on Any Questions?, saying: "There is a generation to whom a golliwog is merely a toy, a generation which was much endeared by its golliwogs which grew up with them on jam jars ...
A fourth episode was screened on 18 September 2008 in which she travelled around London and Birmingham talking to girl gangs. In 2009, Widdecombe appeared with Archbishop John Onaiyekan in an "Intelligence Squared" debate in which they defended the motion that the Catholic Church was a force for good.
Her brother, Malcolm (1937–2010), who was an Anglican Canon in Bristol, retired in May 2009 and died in October 2010.
Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI for services to politics and public life on 31 January 2013. ==Honours== Widdecombe was appointed an Honorary Fellow of Canterbury Christ Church University at a ceremony held at Canterbury Cathedral on 30 January 2009. She was awarded the Honorary degree of Doctor of the University (D.Univ) by the University of Birmingham on 5 July 2012. Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great (DSG) (2013) ==Selected publications== ===Fiction=== 2000: The Clematis Tree.
She served as the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Maidstone from 1987 to 1997 and for Maidstone and The Weald from 1997 to 2010.
Her general pro-life stance is amplified with supporting rigorous laws on animal protection and opposition to fox hunting. She stood down from the House of Commons at the 2010 general election.
She made it through to the second ballot but came last and was eliminated. Widdecombe retired from politics at the 2010 general election.
Arguing against the motion were Stephen Fry and Christopher Hitchens, who won the debate overall. In October 2010, she appeared on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing, partnered by Anton du Beke, winning the support of some viewers despite low marks from the judges.
The production was the theatre's most successful pantomime to date. ==Personal life and family== Until her retirement following the 2010 general election, Widdecombe divided her time between her two homes – one in London and one in the countryside village of Sutton Valence, Kent, in her constituency.
Her brother, Malcolm (1937–2010), who was an Anglican Canon in Bristol, retired in May 2009 and died in October 2010.
The matter was resolved when the company reversed the suspension. In 2010, Widdecombe turned down the offer to be Britain's next ambassador to the Holy See, being prevented from accepting by suffering a detached retina.
In 2011 she expressed the view that "climate change money should go to armed services". The previous year, she voted to support a parliamentary motion supporting homeopathy, criticising the Science and Technology Committee's Report on the subject. ===Homosexuality=== Widdecombe supported the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967 in England and Wales.
In 2011 Widdecombe played the Lord Mayoress in an episode of Sooty. In 2012, Widdecombe hosted a new quiz show for the Sky Atlantic channel, called Cleverdicks.
==Stage acting career== Following her retirement, Widdecombe made her stage debut, on 9 December 2011, at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford in the Christmas pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, alongside Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood.
Widdecombe also currently writes a weekly column for the Daily Express. In January 2011 Widdecombe was President of the North of England Education Conference in Blackpool, and gave a speech there supporting selective education and opposing the ban on new grammar schools being built.
It was rumoured that she would be a Conservative candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner in 2012, but she refused.
In 2012, Widdecombe voiced support in the Daily Express for the practise of conversion therapy, which claims to change the orientation of homosexuals. Widdecombe has also expressed her opposition to the same-sex marriage, introduced by David Cameron's government in 2014, arguing that "the state must have a preferred model" which is "a union that is generally open to procreation".
Bears and gollywogs flying everywhere!!". In 2019 Widdecombe defended the comments she made in a 2012 article that supported "gay conversion" therapy.
In 2011 Widdecombe played the Lord Mayoress in an episode of Sooty. In 2012, Widdecombe hosted a new quiz show for the Sky Atlantic channel, called Cleverdicks.
In April 2012 Widdecombe presented an hour-long documentary for BBC Radio 5 Live, Drunk Again: Ann Widdecombe Investigates, looking at how the British attitude to alcohol consumption has changed over the last few years.
It was revealed in October 2012, that the year's Children in Need's appeal night would feature a Strictly Come Dancing special with former show favourites Russell Grant and Widdecombe.
On 4 November 2012, Widdecombe guest-hosted one episode of BBC's Songs of Praise programme about singleness. In October 2014, she appeared in the BBC series Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, partnered with expert Mark Stacey – beating Craig Revel Horwood and Catherine Southon. Widdecombe took part in a television series 24 Hours in the Past, along with Colin Jackson, Alistair McGowan, Miquita Oliver, Tyger Drew-Honey and Zoe Lucker.
In April 2012, she had a ten-minute non-singing cameo part in Gaetano Donizetti's comic opera La Fille du Regiment, playing the Duchesse de Crackentorp.
Widdecombe reprised her pantomime performance, again with Revel Horwood, at the Swan Theatre, High Wycombe in December 2012. Widdecombe stepped in at short notice to play the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, at Bridlington Spa in December 2016.
Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI for services to politics and public life on 31 January 2013. ==Honours== Widdecombe was appointed an Honorary Fellow of Canterbury Christ Church University at a ceremony held at Canterbury Cathedral on 30 January 2009. She was awarded the Honorary degree of Doctor of the University (D.Univ) by the University of Birmingham on 5 July 2012. Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great (DSG) (2013) ==Selected publications== ===Fiction=== 2000: The Clematis Tree.
Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI for services to politics and public life on 31 January 2013. ==Honours== Widdecombe was appointed an Honorary Fellow of Canterbury Christ Church University at a ceremony held at Canterbury Cathedral on 30 January 2009. She was awarded the Honorary degree of Doctor of the University (D.Univ) by the University of Birmingham on 5 July 2012. Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great (DSG) (2013) ==Selected publications== ===Fiction=== 2000: The Clematis Tree.
In 2012, Widdecombe voiced support in the Daily Express for the practise of conversion therapy, which claims to change the orientation of homosexuals. Widdecombe has also expressed her opposition to the same-sex marriage, introduced by David Cameron's government in 2014, arguing that "the state must have a preferred model" which is "a union that is generally open to procreation".
On 4 November 2012, Widdecombe guest-hosted one episode of BBC's Songs of Praise programme about singleness. In October 2014, she appeared in the BBC series Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, partnered with expert Mark Stacey – beating Craig Revel Horwood and Catherine Southon. Widdecombe took part in a television series 24 Hours in the Past, along with Colin Jackson, Alistair McGowan, Miquita Oliver, Tyger Drew-Honey and Zoe Lucker.
Widdecombe was among more than 20 high-profile people who signed a letter to Members of Parliament in 2015 to oppose David Cameron's plan to amend the Hunting Act 2004. She has expressed a variety of views on scientific issues such as climate change but has been opposed to legislation reducing emissions.
The four-part series was aired from 28 April–19 May 2015 on BBC One and involved the celebrities experiencing life as workers in a dustyard, coachhouse, pottery and finally as workhouse inmates in 1840s Britain.
A prominent Eurosceptic, in 2016 she supported the Vote Leave campaign to withdraw the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU).
She took part in an episode of Lucky Stars in 2016.
Widdecombe reprised her pantomime performance, again with Revel Horwood, at the Swan Theatre, High Wycombe in December 2012. Widdecombe stepped in at short notice to play the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, at Bridlington Spa in December 2016.
Widdecombe appeared three times between August 2017 and April 2019 and was described as an "old friend of the show" by the host during one appearance.
In 2017, Widdecombe took part in ITV's Sugar Free Farm. In January 2018, Widdecombe was the first to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house to participate as a housemate in its twenty-first series.
This was Widdecombe's first appearance as a pantomime 'baddie'; a role she told the press she had always hoped for. In December 2017 Widdecombe played the Empress of China in the pantomime Aladdin at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft.
In 2017, Widdecombe took part in ITV's Sugar Free Farm. In January 2018, Widdecombe was the first to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house to participate as a housemate in its twenty-first series.
Widdecombe herself confirmed the liaison when she appeared, in January 2018, on the UK reality show Big Brother, explaining that she had ended the romance in order to prioritise her career. Widdecombe has a fondness for cats and many other animals such as foxes, and has a section of her website devoted to all the pet cats with which she has shared her life.
She also served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South West England for the Brexit Party from 2019 to 2020. Born in Bath, Somerset, Widdecombe read Latin at the University of Birmingham and later studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.
Widdecombe returned to politics as the lead candidate for the Brexit Party in South West England at the 2019 European Parliament election, winning the seat in line with results nationally, serving until the country left the EU on 31 January 2020.
In the general election of December 2019 – as with all other candidates for the Commons fielded by the Brexit Party – she did not win Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, but retained her deposit and came third. ==Early life== Born in Bath, Somerset, Widdecombe is the daughter of Rita Noreen (née Plummer; 1911–2007) and Ministry of Defence civil servant James Murray Widdecombe.
Widdecombe had considered joining the Brexit Party in March 2019, but joined later, in May. Widdecombe said that her decision to stand resulted from the Government's failure to deliver Britain's departure from the EU on schedule.
"Both major parties need a seismic shock," she said, "to see the extent of public disgust." She subsequently won her seat. Widdecombe became a member of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). Widdecombe stood as a candidate for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport in the 2019 UK general election, coming a distant third but retaining her deposit with 5.5% of the vote.
and there is a generation, a new generation for whom that word is deeply offensive and one does have to make I think some allowance for the fact." In December 2019, leaked WhatsApp conversations to the Plymouth Herald between her and Brexit Party activists showed Widdecombe using the term amid rumours BP campaign funding was being diverted away from Plymouth ahead of the general election of that year.
Bears and gollywogs flying everywhere!!". In 2019 Widdecombe defended the comments she made in a 2012 article that supported "gay conversion" therapy.
Widdecombe appeared three times between August 2017 and April 2019 and was described as an "old friend of the show" by the host during one appearance.
On 3 July 2019 she used her maiden speech in Strasbourg to compare Brexit to slaves revolting against their owners and to a colonised country rising up against occupying forces, a stance which was criticised by members of both the European Parliament and the British House of Commons. ==Media work and appearances== In 2002 she took part in the ITV programme Celebrity Fit Club.
She finished the competition in second place as runner-up to Jenek, who became popular with viewers for challenging Widdecombe's comments. In 2019 Widdecombe appeared on the new celebrity version of The Crystal Maze, where alongside Sunetra Sarker, Wes Nelson, Matthew Wright and Nikki Sanderson, she won money for the charity Stand Up to Cancer initiative. In 2020 Widdecombe travelled to Norway for three days to visit Halden Prison, for the documentary, of The World’s Most Luxurious Prison.
She also served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South West England for the Brexit Party from 2019 to 2020. Born in Bath, Somerset, Widdecombe read Latin at the University of Birmingham and later studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.
Widdecombe returned to politics as the lead candidate for the Brexit Party in South West England at the 2019 European Parliament election, winning the seat in line with results nationally, serving until the country left the EU on 31 January 2020.
In 2020, she expressed her opposition to same-sex dancing on Strictly Come Dancing, saying: "I don't think it is what viewers of Strictly, especially families, are looking for.
She finished the competition in second place as runner-up to Jenek, who became popular with viewers for challenging Widdecombe's comments. In 2019 Widdecombe appeared on the new celebrity version of The Crystal Maze, where alongside Sunetra Sarker, Wes Nelson, Matthew Wright and Nikki Sanderson, she won money for the charity Stand Up to Cancer initiative. In 2020 Widdecombe travelled to Norway for three days to visit Halden Prison, for the documentary, of The World’s Most Luxurious Prison.
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