Ann Widdecombe has finally been voted off Strictly Come Dancing after viewers felt the ex-MP’s humour value had worn thin.
The 62-year-old former Tory minister shocked everyone, including herself, by remaining on Strictly for 10 weeks, despite being slated by the judges on a weekly basis for her graceless dancing.
Viewers continued to vote for Widdecombe for the sheer joy of seeing her being dragged around the floor like a bag of coal by dance partner Anton du Beke.
However last night, Anne’s luck ran out.
After being described as a “dalek in drag”, Anne Widdecombe was awarded only 14 points out of 40 for her dance routine inspired by the musical Hello Dolly! This time, the public wasn’t playing and after pulling in the lowest number of votes, she and Du Beke were voted off the show.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon told the pair: “I’m afraid for me the honeymoon is over.”
Accepting her defeat with grace, Widdecombe told viewers: “I feel like I have had a jolly good time. This day was going to come, it has come, and they are delighted (the judges). It has been tremendous. Time of my life, it’s been fantastic!
“I’m not too upset, I have had ten very good weeks.
“If you had told me at the beginning that I would last two and a half months – I would have laughed at you.”
Former prisons minister Widdecombe achieved far more popularity on Strictly Come Dancing than she ever did as a politician. During her time in office, she became a figure of loathing after saying pregnant women prisoners should be shackled when in hospital.
However, last week Widdecombe told the Daily Mirror:
“I’ve been very touched by the public’s reaction. I thought I’d get a lot of mockery and I have. I knew some people would disapprove and indeed they have. I didn’t think for one moment that I was going to get the level of support I’ve had.
“It’s been phenomenal. I can’t go anywhere without someone rushing up to me. I believe in showbiz it’s called ‘feeling the love’!”
Did she deserve the “love”? Do you care?
