Ann Widdecombe is returning to Strictly Come Dancing for BBC Christmas special
CONTROVERSIAL ex-MP Ann Widdecombe is returning to Strictly eight years after her hopeless dance routines were a ratings hit.
The former Conservative politician, 71, has signed up to the upcoming Christmas special of the BBC1 show.
She will join 2014 winner Caroline Flack, 38, who will become Neil Jones’s first-ever celebrity pairing.
A show insider said: “Ann has always been one of Strictly’s most memorable and hilarious contenders.
“Her endearingly hapless moves had the nation falling in love with her back when she was on the show with Anton and they boosted viewing figures by a mile.
“The Christmas special is always a light-hearted, fun episode and so it was a no-brainer to get Ann on board to add to the comedy of it.
“Ann has promised she’s going to be back to her best and producers are hoping she will provide her most entertaining routine yet in the one episode.”
Rehearsals for the annual special, which will air on Christmas Day, are currently underway.
Ann has been dubbed the “worst” dancer in Strictly history since she starred on the programme in its eighth series in 2010.
Particularly memorable routines involved Ann flying on wires, a Titanic theme and partner Anton swinging Ann around the dancefloor by one ankle and wrist.
Ann recently slammed professional dancer Katya Jones, 29, for not quitting the series after The Sun revealed she had enjoyed a fling with Seann Walsh, 32.
She blasted: “I have to say if I had been Katya’s husband, I would have just demanded she left the show for the rest of the series.
“I would have said, ‘I can’t trust you now you have to leave the show’.”
Ann also admitted she didn’t believe in the famous Strictly “curse” and never would have got together with Anton.
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Asked if she ever got jiggy with her former partner, she said: “Don’t be silly!
"The point is, he was in it for the dancing, I was in for the fun and relaxation and that is what Strictly is supposed to be about.”