Editing Ann Widdecombe (section)

==Media work and appearances==
[[File:Any Questions, Nexus Methodist Church, Bath.jpg|thumb|Widdecombe in an ''[[Any Questions?]]'' broadcast in 2016 at the Nexus Methodist Church, Bath]]
In 2002 she took part in the ITV programme ''[[Celebrity Fit Club]]''. Also in 2002 she took part in a [[Louis Theroux]] television documentary, depicting her life, both in and out of politics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ann-widdecombe-the-truth-about-me-and-louis-theroux-659429.html|title=Ann Widdecombe: The truth about me and Louis Theroux|date=5 March 2002|work=The Independent|access-date=11 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517063321/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ann-widdecombe-the-truth-about-me-and-louis-theroux-659429.html|archive-date=17 May 2010 |url-status=live|location=London}}</ref> In March 2004 she briefly became ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper's [[agony aunt]], introduced with an [[Emma Brockes]] interview.<ref name="Brockes1" /> In 2005 [[BBC Two]] showed six episodes of ''The Widdecombe Project'', an agony aunt television programme.<ref name="ind">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ann-widdecombe-mp--an-unlikely-agony-aunt-754932.html|title=Ann Widdecombe MP: an unlikely agony aunt|date=28 June 2005|work=The Independent|access-date=22 August 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20091008170611/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ann-widdecombe-mp--an-unlikely-agony-aunt-754932.html|archive-date=8 October 2009|url-status=dead|location=London}}</ref> In 2005, she appeared in a new series of ''Celebrity Fit Club'', this time as an agony aunt.<ref name="ind" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3558378.stm|title=MP Widdecombe is BBC agony aunt|date=12 August 2004|access-date=21 November 2010|publisher=BBC}}</ref> Also in 2005, she presented the show ''Ann Widdecombe to the Rescue'' in which she acted as an agony aunt, dispensing advice to disputing families, couples, and others across the UK.<ref name="ind" /> In 2005, she appeared in a discussion programme on [[Channel 5 (UK)|Five]] to discuss who had been England's greatest monarch since the [[Norman Conquest]]; her choice of monarch was [[Charles II of England|Charles II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/200407120003|title=Diary&nbsp;– Jenni Bond|last=Bond|first=Jenni|date=12 July 2004|work=New Statesman|location=UK|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607074724/http://www.newstatesman.com/200407120003|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=22 August 2009}}</ref>

She was the guest host of news quiz ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' twice, in 2006 and 2007. Her first appearance as guest host, in 2006, was widely regarded as a success.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/arrogant-ann-widdecombe-the-worst-have-i-got-news-for-you-guest-presenter-says-paul-merton/|title='Arrogant' Ann Widdecombe the worst Have I Got News For You guest presenter, says Paul Merton|last=Sherwin|first=Adam|date=2 April 2018|website=inews.co.uk|access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2012/11/09/top-10-have-i-got-news-for-you-guest-hosts-boris-johnson-to-damian-lewis-616645/|title=Top 10 Have I Got News For You guest hosts: Damian Lewis to Boris Johnson|date=9 November 2012|access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref> Following her second appearance, Widdecombe said she would never appear on the show again because of comments made by panellist [[Jimmy Carr]] which she considered filth,<ref name="Carr's filth">Ann Widdecombe in the ''Daily Express'', as quoted by {{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2007/nov/28/widdecombedisgustedbycarrs|title=Widdecombe disgusted by Carr's 'filth'|author1=Media Monkey|date=28 November 2007|work=The Guardian|access-date=18 February 2018}}</ref> though she called regular panellists [[Ian Hislop]] and [[Paul Merton]] "the fastest wits in showbusiness".<ref name="Carr's filth" /> Merton later revealed that he thought Widdecombe had been "the worst ever presenter" of the show, particularly on her second appearance where Merton claimed she "thought she was [[Victoria Wood]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/05/anti-lgbt-politician-ann-widdecombe-was-the-worst-have-i-got-news-for-you-presenter-ever/|title=Anti-LGBT politician Ann Widdecombe was the 'worst Have I Got News For You presenter ever'|last=Butterworth|first=Benjamin|date=5 April 2018|work=Pink News|location=UK|access-date=6 April 2018}}</ref>

In 2007 she awarded the ''[[University Challenge]]'' trophy to the winners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/University_Challenge|title=University Challenge|publisher=UK Game Shows.com|access-date=22 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105095425/http://ukgameshows.com/ukgs/University_Challenge|archive-date=5 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the same year, she appeared in  "[[The Sound of Drums]]", the 12th episode of the third series of the science-fiction drama ''[[Doctor Who]]'', endorsing [[Master (Doctor Who)|the Master's]] Prime Minister campaign.<ref name="Factfile">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2007/facts/fact_312.shtml|title=Doctor Who&nbsp;– Fact File&nbsp;– "The Sound of Drums"|author=Peter Ware|work=Doctor Who: the official site|publisher=BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017034012/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2007/facts/fact_312.shtml|archive-date=17 October 2007 |url-status=live|access-date=30 November 2007}}</ref> In 2007 and 2008 Widdecombe fronted a [[television series]] called ''Ann Widdecombe Versus'', on [[ITV1]], in which she spoke to various people about things related to her as an [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]], with an emphasis on confronting those responsible for problems she wished to tackle. In 2007 she talked about prostitution, [[social benefits]], and [[truancy]]. A fourth episode was screened on 18 September 2008 in which she travelled around London and [[Birmingham]] talking to girl gangs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4781758.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616062223/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4781758.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2011|title=Ann Widdecombe Versus Girl Gangs; No Heroics; Hollyoaks at timesonline.co.uk|last1=Naughton|first1=Philippe|date=19 September 2008|work=The Times|access-date=1 September 2011|last2=Costello|first2=Miles|location=London}}</ref>

In 2009, Widdecombe appeared with Archbishop [[John Onaiyekan]] in an "[[Intelligence Squared]]" debate in which they defended the motion that the Catholic Church was a force for good. Arguing against the motion were [[Stephen Fry]] and [[Christopher Hitchens]], who won the debate overall.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.catholicherald.co.uk/article/23rd-october-2009/1/atheist-duo-convince-crowd-that-the-church-is-not-|title=Atheist duo convince crowd that the Church is not a force for good|author=Ed West|date=23 October 2009|work=The Catholic Herald|access-date=18 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626053333/http://archive.catholicherald.co.uk/article/23rd-october-2009/1/atheist-duo-convince-crowd-that-the-church-is-not-|archive-date=26 June 2012|url-status=dead|location=London}}</ref>

[[File:Widdebookclub.jpg|thumb|Widdecombe at a book club hosted by [[Edwina Currie]] in [[Clapham]], 2010]]
In October 2010, she appeared on [[BBC One]]'s ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', partnered by [[Anton du Beke]], winning the support of some viewers despite low marks from the judges.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00v7qxs/Strictly_Come_Dancing_Series_8_Week_1_Show_2/|title=Strictly Come Dancing at|date=2 October 2010|publisher=BBC|access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/strictly-come-dancing/8076273/Interview-with-Ann-Widdecombe.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/strictly-come-dancing/8076273/Interview-with-Ann-Widdecombe.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Interview with Ann Widdecombe at www.telegraph.co.uk|last=Grice|first=Elizabeth|date=21 October 2010|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=26 August 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After nine weeks of routines strongly flavoured by comedy, the couple was eliminated, in the bottom two. In 2011 Widdecombe played the Lord Mayoress in an episode of [[Sooty (2011 TV series)|Sooty]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sooty Season 1|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/cmgnfp/sooty-season-1/|access-date=2021-05-31|website=Radio Times|language=en|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602221318/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/cmgnfp/sooty-season-1/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, Widdecombe hosted the 30 one-hour episodes of ''[[Cleverdicks]]'', a quiz show for the [[Sky Atlantic]] channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/277070/Ann-Widdecombe-to-host-new-TV-quiz-show|title=Ann Widdecombe to host new TV quiz show|date=12 October 2011|work=Express.co.uk}}</ref> In April 2012 Widdecombe presented an hour-long documentary for [[BBC Radio 5 Live]], ''Drunk Again: Ann Widdecombe Investigates'', looking at how the British attitude to [[alcohol consumption]] had changed over the previous few years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01ghshj|title=Drunk Again: Anne Widdecombe Investigates|date=23 April 2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/apr/29/drunk-again-ann-widdecombe-review|title=Rewind radio: Drunk Again: Ann Widdecombe Investigates; Sunday Feature: AL Kennedy's Art of Madness; The Radio Ballads: Never Again – A Lament for the Titanic – review|last1=Sawyer|first1=Miranda|date=28 April 2012|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 February 2018|language=en}}</ref> Widdecombe was in a ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' special in [[Children in Need]]'s 2012 appeal night.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s104/strictly-come-dancing/news/a434358/russell-grant-widdecombe-return-to-strictly-for-children-in-need.html|title=Russell Grant, Widdecombe return to 'Strictly' for Children in Need|last=Fletcher|first=Alex|date=30 October 2012|publisher=digitalspy.co.uk|access-date=2 November 2012}}</ref> On 4 November 2012, Widdecombe guest-hosted one episode of BBC's ''[[Songs of Praise]]'' programme about singleness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Ann-s-happy-Strictly-singleton/story-17236462-detail/story.html|title=Ann's happy to be Strictly a singleton|date=5 November 2012|publisher=thisisstaffordshire.co.uk|access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref>

In October 2014, she appeared in the BBC series ''[[Celebrity Antiques Road Trip]]'' with expert [[Mark Stacey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b016nbj8|title=BBC Two – Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Series 1, Episode 1|work=BBC}}</ref>

Widdecombe took part in a four-part [[BBC One]] television series ''[[24 Hours in the Past]]'', along with [[Colin Jackson]], [[Alistair McGowan]], [[Miquita Oliver]], [[Tyger Drew-Honey]] and [[Zoe Lucker]] in April and May 2015, involving experiencing life as workers in a dustyard, [[coachhouse]], [[pottery]], and as [[workhouse]] inmates in 1840s Britain. She took part in an episode of ''[[Tipping Point (game show)|Tipping Point: Lucky Stars]]'' in 2016. In 2017, Widdecombe took part in ITV's ''[[Sugar Free Farm]]''.

In January 2018, Widdecombe participated in the [[Celebrity Big Brother (British series 21)|Celebrity Big Brother twenty-first series]];<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42552217|title=Who's in the new Celebrity Big Brother house?|date=2018|work=BBC News|access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> she was criticised over her comments regarding the [[Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations|Harvey Weinstein controversy]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/celebrity-big-brother-2018-line-up-ann-widdecombe-harvey-weinstein-victim-blaming-a8141096.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/celebrity-big-brother-2018-line-up-ann-widdecombe-harvey-weinstein-victim-blaming-a8141096.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ann Widdecombe accused of victim blaming after CBB Weinstein discussion|date=4 January 2018|access-date=10 January 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and comments perceived to be anti-LGBT to her fellow housemates, most notably to drag queen [[Courtney Act]] (Shane Jenek).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/tv-radio/2018/01/Celebrity-Big-Brother-ann-widdecombe-isn-t-harmless-comedy-old-lady-she-s-homophobe|title=Ann Widdecombe isn't a harmless comedy old lady – she's a homophobe|last1=Chakelian|first1=Anoosh|date=31 January 2018|work=New Statesman|access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Hague's head girl"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/celebrity-big-brother-fans-brand-ann-widdecombe-a-homophobe-after-latest-controversial-remark-a3747436.html|title=Celebrity Big Brother fans brand Ann Widdecombe a 'homophobe'|last1=Cumberbatch|first1=Aimée Grant|date=23 January 2018|work=Evening Standard|access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref> She finished the competition in second place, behind  Jenek.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/celebrity-big-brother-2018-courtney-act-aka-shane-jenek-beats-ann-widdecombe-to-win-channel-5-a3757021.html|title=Courtney Act aka Shane Jenek beats Ann Widdecombe to win CBB|last1=Powell|first1=Emma|work=Evening Standard|access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref>

In 2019 Widdecombe appeared on the new celebrity version of ''[[The Crystal Maze]]'', where alongside [[Sunetra Sarker]], [[Wes Nelson]], [[Matthew Wright (presenter)|Matthew Wright]] and [[Nikki Sanderson]], she won money for [[Stand Up to Cancer]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1152852/Ann-Widdecombe-Brexit-EU-Crystal-Maze-Richard-Ayoade-news-Channel-4-video |title = Ann Widdecombe hits out at EU officials over Brexit during Celebrity Crystal Maze task|date = 12 July 2019}}</ref>

In 2020 Widdecombe travelled to Norway for three days to visit [[Halden Prison]], for the documentary ''[[The World's Most Luxurious Prison]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/msh8p4/the-worlds-most-luxurious-prison/|title=The World's Most Luxurious Prison|website=Radio Times|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611224520/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/msh8p4/the-worlds-most-luxurious-prison/|url-status=dead|access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref>