Ashley James has paid tribute to the late Ann Widdecombe as she said the politician had a ‘profound impact on her in an unexpected way’ despite her ‘deplorable’ beliefs.
A murder probe was launched on Friday after the news of her death and a white male suspect has now been arrested by police.
Police found the former Conservative prisons minister with ‘serious injuries’ after an ambulance crew called them to her house in Haytor, Dartmoor at 11.40am on Thursday.
Posting prior to the news of the murder inquiry, Ashley called Ann’s political views ‘deplorable’ and ’caused real harm’ but said the star had a profound impact on her as she encouraged her to care less what people thought and have conviction in her own beliefs.
Ashley and Ann met while both starring in Celebrity Big Brother back in 2018, and taking to Instagram after it was announced the police had launched a murder probe, the presenter confessed she was ‘devastated’ and sent her thoughts to Ann’s family and friends.
She penned: ‘Ann Widdecombe and I couldn’t have been more different politically. We clashed a lot in the Celebrity Big Brother house, and there are many of her views I fundamentally disagreed with, particularly on LGBTQ+ rights.
Ashley James has said CBB co-star Ann Widdecombe had a ‘profound impact on her in an unexpected way’ despite her ‘deplorable’ beliefs as police arrest suspect over star’s ‘murder’ (Ashley, Ann and Wayne Sleep pictured on CBB)
Posting prior to the news of the murder inquiry, Ashley called Ann’s political views ‘deplorable’ but said the star had a profound impact on her as she encouraged her to care less what people thought and have conviction in her own beliefs
‘I’m very aware that many of her beliefs and where she gave her political vote were deeply harmful to communities and caused real hurt. Her views were deplorable.
‘But she also had a profound impact on me in an unexpected way. After one particularly explosive row, she called me ‘a little bit of a bone picker’ and told me I needed to stop being so sensitive.
‘At the time, I didn’t want to hear it. But she encouraged me to care less about pleasing everyone and to have more conviction in my own beliefs. I’ve spoken openly over the years about how much that advice changed me, because I used to spend so much of my life worrying about what other people thought of me.
‘I also always believed that disagreement didn’t have to mean a lack of humanity. I never stopped trying to meet Ann with kindness, even when we fundamentally disagreed.’
Recalling fond memories with Ann where she showed her softer side, Ashley continued: ‘I have such fond memories of doing her hair and makeup in the house. She’d never have admitted it, but I think, somewhere deep deep deep down, she enjoyed being fussed over.
‘Those moments reminded me that people are often more complicated than the opinions they’re known for. We kept in touch for a while after the house.
‘I still laugh remembering meeting her for dinner and asking if she could please take off her Brexit Party rosette before we sat down. We eventually lost touch as our lives and our beliefs moved further apart.
‘While I know many of Ann’s beliefs caused real harm, the lesson she gave me to stop trying to please everyone and care less about what others thought has stayed with me ever since.’
She later added: ‘I am absolutely devastated. Sending love to Ann’s family and loved ones. I await the news to develop before I give comment on thoughts on femicide or politically motivated deaths and what that means for democracy.’
On Friday afternoon Devon and Cornwall Police said officers had begun a murder inquiry into Ann’s death and were hunting a ‘white male’ who they ‘believe is responsible’.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference that a 26-year-old white British man has been arrested at an address in Newton Abbot.
Ann’s death aged 78 was first announced by her management team on Friday morning and there had been no suggestion of anything other than natural causes.
It is understood she was found covered in blood after suffering a serious head wound.
Recalling fond memories with Ann where she showed her softer side, Ashley continued: ‘I have such fond memories of doing her hair and makeup in the house’
Taking to Instagram after it was announced the police had launched a murder probe, the presenter confessed she was ‘devastated’ and sent her thoughts to Ann’s family and friends
Mr Longman said there was ‘no information’ at this time to suggest the murder was a ‘politically motivated crime’ and it is not being treated as terror-related.
He told reporters: ‘A 26-year-old man was arrested in Newton Abbot this afternoon on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The suspect, who is a white British national, remains in police custody while inquiries continue.
‘While we work closely with our partners and consulted counter-terrorism policing as part of our initial inquiries, the incident is not being treated as terrorism.’
Forensic officers are in the process of examining Miss Widdecombe’s property, which is surrounded by a cordon.
Mr Longman said the inquiry is ‘in its early stages’ but ‘moving at significant pace’.
He said: ‘We are deploying all the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened. I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.’
‘I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media. That’s not only potentially harmful to our investigation, but also deeply distressing to the family and friends of Ms Widdecombe.’
Sir Keir Starmer described the announcement of a murder investigation as ‘really shocking news’ and praised the former MP as a ‘distinguished politician’. He refused to comment when asked if he thought the murder could be politically motivated.
Anton Du Beke revealed his ‘devastation’ over Strictly dance partner Ann’s death on Friday as he called her a ‘firm friend’.
Taking to Instagram, Anton, 59, said: ‘Hi my loves. Well the saddest of news I’ve heard today and that’s the passing of the lovely Ann Widdecombe.
‘I have to tell you, I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing. She became a real friend. She was fun. She was upbeat. She was positive. She was supportive. She was game.
‘She wanted to enter into the spirit of the whole thing, and we had an incredible time together. And we stayed firm friends.
Anton Du Beke revealed his ‘devastation’ over Strictly dance partner Ann’s death on Instagram on Friday as police launched a murder probe
Anton and Ann made it all the way to week ten on Strictly back in 2010
‘My thoughts go out to all of her nearest and dearest, and all her family. This is a sad day, and I’m devastated by the news of Ann’s passing. But I shall remember her fondly and miss her.’
Anton and Ann famously made it onto week ten of Strictly back in 2010 and remained in touch.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the circumstances around Ms Widdecombe’s death are ‘extremely distressing’, adding: ‘My thoughts are with Ann’s family and loved ones.’
The redoubtable politician was a permanent fixture in British public life thanks to her long political career as a no-nonsense, tough-talking figure on the Right.
Her agents, Cloud 9 Management, said in a statement: ‘It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of The Right Honourable Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
‘We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends.’
Following the news of Ann’s death, stars took to social media to remember the former Conservative MP as tributes flooded in.
Piers Morgan described Ann as a ‘charismatic, combative gem’ as he paid tribute on X.
He wrote: ‘RIP Ann Widdecombe, 78. A wonderfully no-nonsense, straight-talking, highly-opinionated British battle-axe. Ann was always a very feisty, combative interviewee, but always great fun too. Amid so many dreary politicians, she was a charismatic, combative gem.’
Anton said he had ‘the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘she became a real friend’
Jeremy Vine shared photos from his time with Ann on his Channel 5 show and wrote: ‘Today, we woke up to the sad news that Ann Widdecombe has passed away aged 78.
‘She was a friend of the programme, a regular panellist and a formidable politician who was never, ever afraid to express her views, but also had a great sense of humour and was always up for a laugh. Farewell to an icon’.
He later elaborated on Instagram: ‘I’m in my Channel 5, ITN office here, we do the show every day. She’s been so much a part of my life on Radio 2, Channel 5.
‘I honestly think she’s just one of the most extraordinary politicians of the age. She had that cruel nickname in the 80s, Doris Karlov.
‘I said I thought it was terrible, and she said I never minded that. I used to pick up the phone and say, Karlov here.
‘Where do we even start with Anne? Just the energy of that woman, how principled she was.
‘Every day we had her on Channel 5, within about 15 minutes, a viewer would say, “Anne, you should be Prime Minister,” and she would go, “oh no, no, no”.
‘And I always said because she was now Reform and up until a few weeks ago Reform were doing really well, they looked like they were going to just coast it, you know, and I just said, “Anne, come on, you’ve got another cabinet job in you,” but she’d always say no.
Jeremy Vine shared photos from his time with Ann on his Channel 5 show
Ann is pictured on Jeremy Vine with the host and presenter Richard Bacon
Piers Morgan described Ann as a ‘charismatic, combative gem’ as he paid tribute on X
Amanda Barrie, who starred with Ann on Celebrity Big Brother, said they were ‘complete opposites’ but she ‘adored her’ as she appeared on Good Morning Britain to pay tribute
‘She respected conventional politics and the idea of, you know, you have parties and votes and elections and that’s how things work. But she was also extremely unconventional and unusual.
‘You’ve just got to think of her on Strictly doing that, but that amazing thing with Anton Du Beke, just how funny she was.
‘She was in pantomimes. She actually went on stage in panto. And she was kind.
‘I know that she had a very austere on-screen manner, and if you disagree with her you know, but in the end, the kindness individually was such a beautiful thing to see.
‘What a woman. I want to say rest in peace, Ann. You’re not a suit and tie politician, Ann.
‘You’re somebody who existed so much in three dimensions, and you were true.
‘You were true to yourself, and you were kind, and we’re going to miss you so much.
‘Ann Widdecombe, who I only heard 67 minutes ago, has died. I’m devastated to hear it.’
Amanda Barrie, who starred with Ann on Celebrity Big Brother, said they were ‘complete opposites’ but she ‘adored her’ as she appeared on Good Morning Britain to pay tribute.
The former MP was known for her controversial stances on moral issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage and had a zero-tolerance approach to drugs.
Amanda said: ‘We could not have been more opposed on gay rights, on politics, on Brexit and on everything.
‘We really were miles apart and yet we actually bonded. I found her to be that big bulldog frontage, inside there was a really kind person. She was really very kind to me.
Amanda and Ann pictured on Big Brother alongside Ashley James and India Willoughby
‘I adored her, which sounds ridiculous because we were complete opposites I was truly fond of her.
‘She thought she could control Big Brother. They used to leave the light on at night. She used to get out of bed and like a little miniature battleship and put the light out.
‘I said “Ann, they will put it on in a minute. It’s Big Brother. They are in charge.” She would say: “No they’re not.” She would keep doing it.
‘I can’t think of anybody who would be more cross that they are not here than Ann. She would be really cross. That little head and all her knowledge. There was a lot of goodness in Ann and I stand by that.’
An emotional Amanda added she had been meaning to ring her up and urged viewers to not hesitate in checking in with their loved ones.
Ann became a firm household name after her memorable Strictly performances and Celebrity Big Brother stint.
On Strictly, she quickly became a fan favourite for her entertaining and theatrical routines, lasting until the tenth week of the competition.
The show thrust her into the spotlight as a pop culture icon as she became known for her comedic and stiff routines.
Up until her death, she remained a prominent public commentator – writing regular opinion columns.
Meanwhile on Celebrity Big Brother iconic moments included her stoic reaction while R&B singer Ginuwine performed his steamy hit Pony and when she attempted to tame her hair with a hair straightener, leaving viewers highly amused by her confusion.
Ann appeared on a talk show as recently as Wednesday, where she doubled down on her support for Reform leader Mr Farage ahead of the Clacton by-election.
Her private life was a famously quiet affair, though it is known that she never married nor had any children.
Ann returned to the Strictly ballroom in December 2018 for the show’s festive special, performing an American Smooth to ‘Sisters’ from White Christmas.
So successful was her Strictly venture that in December 2010, seven MPs supported a parliamentary motion ‘saluting’ her and Anton for ‘their achievement in putting a smile on the nation’s faces’.
Among the signatories were the late Sir David Amess and Dr Therese Coffey, who later served as deputy prime minister under Liz Truss.
The Reform campaigner also dabbled in stage acting.
She made her debut at the Orchard Theatre in the Christmas pantomime Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, alongside Strictly Come Dancing Judge Craig Revel Horwood.
Ann also stepped in at short notice to play the Evil Queen in Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs in December 2016 – marking her first appearance as a pantomime ‘baddie’, a role she said she had always hoped for.
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