Piers Morgan reflected on Ann Widdecombe’s ‘harrowing’ final moments in a devastating tribute after her death at 78.
Piers Morgan shared a heartbreaking tribute to Ann Widdecombe(Image: piersmorgan/Instagram)
Piers Morgan has written a tribute to Ann Widdecombe following her death, describing the former MP and Strictly Come Dancing star – who he worked with many times over the years – as an “absolute tour de force”.
News broke of the former Conservative MP’s death earlier today, with her management team confirming that she had died at her home in Devon, at the age of 78. Police officers have since arrested a 26-year-old white, British man on suspicion of murder amid an ongoing investigation.
Taking to Instagram, Morgan offered his condolences in a lengthy post saying he was “so shocked and saddened” by the loss. He wrote: “What a horrendous way for such a wonderful character’s life to end. Ann was an absolute tour de force – opinionated, combative, fearless, principled, and highly intelligent.
“She loved a good argument but was great fun too. I didn’t agree with some of her views or politics, but she never demanded that I did. She believed free speech was the cornerstone of democracy.
“I interviewed her for my Life Stories biographical show, in which was she both searingly honest and wonderfully entertaining about her amazing life, we appeared together on Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire during which she regularly berated me to the audience’s delight, and we locked horns many times on Good Morning Britain and Uncensored.
“We also texted each other from time to time, most recently when we both had nasty falls and ended up in hospital around the same time. She sustained her injury rescuing a mouse from her cat. That was typical Ann… a fiery feisty and often hilariously funny battle-axe (she’d take description as a compliment) on air, a heart of gold off air.”
He concluded the post: “It’s just awful to think of how harrowing her last moments must have been. My deepest condolences to all Ann’s family. RIP.”
A number of famous faces have since paid tribute to the late star, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and her former Strictly Come Dancing partner, Anton Du Beke.
Widdecombe’s agent revealed the news of her death this morning, in a statement which read: “It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
“We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends. We ask that the family’s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.”
A police spokesperson later confirmed there was an investigation into “the circumstances surrounding” her death, adding that they have no information to believe it was politically-motivated.
“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,” they concluded. “This is an extremely tragic incident. Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Miss Widdicombe in this very difficult time.”
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