Former Conservative minister and television personality Ann Widdecombe will be remembered at a private funeral attended only by her closest family and friends, as relatives asked the public to respect their wishes following the veteran politician’s death earlier this month.

Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home on Dartmoor after suffering serious head injuries, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the political spectrum and the entertainment world.

In a statement released on behalf of the family, relatives thanked members of the public for the overwhelming support they have received while confirming that her initial funeral service will remain a private occasion.

The family explained that invitations had already been distributed to those closest to the former MP and urged well-wishers to allow them the opportunity to grieve away from the public eye.

“We understand that there is significant public interest in the funeral of Ann Widdecombe,” the statement began.

“A private service for family and close friends will be held in the coming weeks, and invitations for this ceremony have been distributed.”

The statement went on to reassure supporters that there would still be an opportunity for the wider public to celebrate Widdecombe’s life at a later date.

“A more public memorial will follow later in the year, the details of which will be released in due course,” the family added.

“While we are very grateful for the wide expression of condolences, the family would ask that this initial service is limited to those closest to Ann.”

The announcement comes after thousands of messages of sympathy were shared following news of Widdecombe’s death, with politicians from rival parties, television personalities and former colleagues all paying tribute to her remarkable public career.

Although she remained one of Britain’s most outspoken political figures throughout her life, many of those remembering her focused on her warmth, humour and unwavering commitment to her beliefs.

Among the most emotional tributes came from professional dancer Anton Du Beke, who partnered Widdecombe during her memorable appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.

Despite becoming one of the competition’s most unlikely contestants, Widdecombe quickly became a fan favourite thanks to her determination and self-deprecating humour.

Du Beke admitted he was devastated by the news, describing it as the “saddest of news” in a heartfelt video shared on social media.

Reflecting on their time together in the ballroom, he said he had developed a genuine friendship with the former politician during the series.

“I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing,” he said.

“She became a real friend, she was fun, she was upbeat, she was positive, she was supportive, she was game and wanted to enter into the spirit of the whole thing.”

His comments echoed the memories of many viewers who remembered Widdecombe’s willingness to laugh at herself despite receiving notoriously low scores from the judges throughout the competition.

Although she never became one of the programme’s strongest dancers, she consistently won over audiences with her enthusiasm and determination.

Tributes also poured in from Westminster, where Widdecombe spent decades building a reputation as one of Parliament’s most recognisable and uncompromising figures.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the party as being “reeling” following the loss of one of its most distinctive former MPs.

She remembered Widdecombe as “a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind,” highlighting the fearless style that defined her political career.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also acknowledged her contribution to British public life despite their political differences.

He described Widdecombe as “a distinguished politician,” recognising the decades she devoted to public service.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, with whom Widdecombe worked in recent years, offered an equally heartfelt tribute.

Posting a video online, Farage described her as “an extraordinary woman” whose convictions never wavered regardless of whether they proved popular.

He praised her lifelong dedication to public service and said she had always remained true to the principles she believed in.

Farage added that Widdecombe was “a devout Christian and somebody with strong socially conservative views.”

He acknowledged that those opinions were not always widely shared in modern Britain but insisted they reflected deeply held beliefs she defended throughout her career.

Widdecombe’s political life spanned several decades and multiple chapters of British politics.

She first entered Parliament as the Conservative MP for Maidstone in Kent, representing the constituency for 23 years.

During Sir John Major’s government in the 1990s, she served in several ministerial positions, becoming one of the party’s best-known female politicians.

Her outspoken style and willingness to challenge opponents ensured she remained a familiar figure both inside Parliament and across the national media.

Following her departure from the House of Commons, Widdecombe successfully reinvented herself as a television personality.

Her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing introduced her to an entirely new audience who had previously known little about her political career.

She later returned to reality television in 2018, finishing as runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother after once again winning over viewers with her humour and resilience.

Despite leaving Westminster, Widdecombe never fully stepped away from politics.

She later represented South West England as a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party during one of the most turbulent periods in British political history.

Her outspoken support for Brexit made her a natural fit within the movement, and she remained an active campaigner after Britain’s departure from the European Union.

In 2023, she joined Reform UK as one of the party’s official spokespeople, continuing to comment regularly on national political issues.

Even in her late seventies, Widdecombe remained an influential public figure whose opinions continued to attract widespread attention.

Her sudden death therefore came as a profound shock to colleagues and supporters alike.

Police launched a major investigation after she was discovered with serious head injuries at her Dartmoor home earlier this month.

The inquiry was led by counter-terrorism detectives owing to the nature of the investigation and the prominence of the victim.

Earlier this week, officers confirmed that a suspect had been formally charged.

Joshua Kerry, 28, from South Yorkshire, appeared before the courts charged with Widdecombe’s murder.

Court officials have provisionally listed the trial to begin on 8 June 2027.

The criminal proceedings remain ongoing, and investigators have continued gathering evidence ahead of what is expected to become a lengthy legal process.

The announcement of the funeral arrangements has therefore arrived against the backdrop of an active murder case that continues to attract considerable public attention.

Despite the intense interest surrounding the investigation, Widdecombe’s relatives have made it clear that their immediate priority is celebrating her life privately before holding a larger memorial at a later date.

That future public service is expected to allow political colleagues, former television co-stars and members of the public to pay their respects collectively.

Details of the memorial have yet to be announced, although the family confirmed further information will be released in due course.

For now, however, those closest to Widdecombe hope to remember her away from cameras and public scrutiny.

The request has been widely respected by friends and colleagues, many of whom have already shared personal memories of a woman whose influence extended far beyond politics.

Whether debating fiercely in Parliament, dancing across the Strictly ballroom or entertaining viewers on reality television, Widdecombe rarely did anything by halves.

Supporters remember her as fiercely independent, deeply principled and entirely unapologetic about expressing opinions that often challenged prevailing attitudes.

Even those who disagreed with her politics frequently acknowledged her determination, resilience and willingness to defend her convictions regardless of criticism.

As preparations continue for both the private funeral and a larger public memorial later this year, tributes continue to highlight the extraordinary range of achievements that defined Ann Widdecombe’s life, from senior government minister to television personality, European parliamentarian and political campaigner.

For many, that legacy, rather than the circumstances surrounding her death, is what will ultimately endure.