Piers Morgan and Vine Honor Ann Widdecombe

Tributes have poured in for  after it was announced on Friday she had passed away aged 78. 

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.' 

After the end of her long-standing parliamentary career, Ann turned her hand to showbusiness - appearing as a contestant on Come Dancing, paired with professional dancer . 

She also appeared in in 2018 and ended up coming second place - despite being criticised for comments perceived to be anti-LGBT by her fellow housemates.

Following the news of Ann's death, stars took to social media to remember the former Conservative MP. 

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.' 

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'. 

Amanda Barrie, who starred with Ann on Celebrity Big Brother, said they were 'complete opposites' but she 'adored her'. 

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.

'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 dancing turn, as 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.

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 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.