Ann Widdecombe converted to Catholicism in the 1990s and often sparked controversy during her parliamentary career due to her socially conservative views, including opposing abortion and comments about the LGBT community.

In 2019, the former minister received backlash after suggesting science might one day "produce an answer" to being gay.

She was also criticised while she was a Brexit Party MEP for comparing the UK leaving the EU to "slaves" rising up "against their owners".

Widdecombe left Parliament after serving as an MP for 23 years, and rather unexpectedly waltzed into show business.

She became an unlikely star of Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 before later starring in Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

She quickly became a favourite with viewers on Strictly despite one judge comparing her to a "Dalek in drag". Despite her low scores Widdecombe lasted until the ninth week of the competition and is remembered by fans of the show for her dramatic spins, lifts and entering the ballroom while suspended in the air.

Although she described her dancing as "elephantine," Widdecombe said her time on the show was "magnificent" and "life-enhancing".

Image source, PA Media

Broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth remembers Widdecombe as a "formidable debater".

The two met at Oxford University in 1967 and remained friends. Brandreth tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme that she was "fun" and "feisty even then".

"What was great about Ann is you could disagree with her - and I disagreed with her on so many issues, more and more as the years went by," he says. "She enjoyed a good roustabout and then it was over and you would go to the bar, have a drink and have a laugh about it."

The broadcaster also says Widdecombe had "very clear, firm views" but did not carry them over into her private life and was "not judgemental in any sense at all".

Image source, Reuters

Ann Widdecombe's political career spanned decades - she served as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and worked as a Home Office and employment minister in John Major's government from 1994 to 1997.

Politicians have paid tribute to Widdecombe, and reacted to the murder investigation:

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "this is really shocking news" and said he had spoken to the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK's Nigel Farage, as well as Andy Burnham, "to urge everybody to come together".

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was "stunned" and "really struggled to find the words". She added: "My heart is breaking for her family."

Andy Burnham sent his condolences to Widdecombe's family, and said: "Ann gave a lifetime of public service".

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was "deeply saddened" and called the circumstances of her death "extremely distressing". "I urge everyone to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress," she added.

We are yet to hear any reaction to the news that a suspect in the murder investigation has been released from custody.

Ann Widdecombe had been due to appear on a current affairs programme on Channel 5 on Wednesday afternoon, according to reports.

In a post on X, Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker says that Widdecombe had been due to appear on 5 Daytime on Wednesday afternoon "but stopped responding to messages and didn't turn up for the show".

He adds: "The team contacted her agent to ask them to check in on her. This information has been passed to police as it's part of the investigation."

ITV reports that Widdecombe had exchanged messages with a researcher from the show but did not respond when they tried to contact her to join a Zoom call from her home.

We can now bring you some images of the scene outside Ann Widdecombe's home in Haytor, Devon.

A police presence remains and a cordon is still in place after a murder investigation was launched on Thursday.

Janine Jansen
Reporting from Haytor

I'm outside Ann Widdecombe's house.

About half an hour ago, Devon and Cornwall police shared their statement that a 26-year-old man had been released and is no longer part of the investigation.

This time yesterday morning, we were waking up to the news she had died. Later that afternoon, police revealed it was a murder investigation.

There is a large police presence here, the cordon is still up and forensic evidence is still being gathered.

Police are asking for people to come forward with any information they have.

It's thoroughly shocking here in the small village of Haytor on the edge of Dartmoor.

Jacob Phillips
Live reporter

A 26-year-old man who was arrested on Friday on suspicion of murdering former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer part of the investigation, police say.

The 78-year-old was found dead in her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday - here's a reminder of what we know so far:

Death announced: Widdecombe's death was first announced on Friday morning by her management team, but there was no information about when, how or where she died, and no detail on any suspicious circumstances.

Serious injuries: Devon and Cornwall Police said the 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman had been found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor at around 11:40 BST on Thursday.

Murder investigation: But later on Friday afternoon, police issued a statement saying they had launched a murder investigation and released details of a suspect.

Arrest: The force's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference on Friday that a 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder.

Not terror-related: Longman also explained there was "no information that this is a politically motivated crime" and also confirmed the incident was not being treated as terror-related.

"Absolutely devastated": Widdecombe's management team then released another statement, saying they were "absolutely devastated" by news of the police investigation.

Suspect released: Devon and Cornwall Police said on Saturday morning that the suspect has since been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation.

Stay with us for the latest updates throughout the day - and you can read more in our full story on what we know.

Chris Mason
Political editor

Image source, Getty Images

Ann Widdecombe was an extraordinary character.

Sure, people would have strong views about her strong views, of course – those strongly in agreement and strongly in disagreement.

When I presented Any Questions on Radio 4, which alongside the job I do now was the biggest privilege I have ever had professionally, she was one of my favourite panellists.

Few of her words would wash over anyone – they would splash a listener in the face and demand a reaction.

Ann Widdecombe was pugnacious, charismatic, barbed and yes, had a sense of silliness too.

Widdecombe revelled in debate, even, perhaps particularly, when articulating positions as a lifelong social conservative that were no longer fashionable to many. There were too her views that wouldn't even curry favour with all those in her own party.

Let's be clear – some of her views were regarded by some as deeply offensive.

It is for you as a reader to come to your own view about her views.

What I can tell you is that plenty who knew her, whether they agreed with her or not, found her immensely likeable.

• Read more in my full piece on Ann Widdecombe

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman adds that there will be a significant police presence in the area while detectives and officers carry out house-to-house and CCTV enquiries.

"This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe at this difficult time.

“Our murder inquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened."

We can now bring you comments from Devon and Cornwall Police's latest statement.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman says: “Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined.

“Detectives continue to carry out numerous enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

He adds: "Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation and are conducting extensive enquiries into the circumstances surrounding Miss Widdecombe’s death.

“A cordon remains in place at the property while specialist officers continue forensic examinations. There are road closures in place around the scene."

A 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe has since been released from custody and is no longer part of the police investigation, Devon and Cornwall Police say.

The force said on Friday that the man, a white British national, had been arrested at an address in Newton Abbot, Devon.

The body of the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson was found with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a rural village on Dartmoor in Devon, at about 11:40 BST on Thursday.